10 th June 2010
New Zealand Airlines, which operates services from Heathrow Airport is to allow passengers to use the text facility on mobile phones.TheCivil Aviation Authority and the Airline are expected to come to an agreement before the end of the year.
The carrier's new Boeing 777-300 aeroplane will have the technology to let passengers text and send emails from their iPhone, Blackberry and GSM mobile phones. As a result of customer feedback, voice calls will still be banned, but passengers expressed a wish to be able to keep in touch with family and friends, and to receive and send e mails whilst on board.
Passengers must keep their handsets on silent mode and will be able to access e mails from their laptops with a mobile broadband connection aboard the aircraft.
It is unclear as to which flights the service will be available on. At present, Air New Zealand currently provides flights from Heathrow Airport in the UK to Auckland, New Zealand.
The airline has yet to convince the Civil Aviation Authority that it's safe for passengers to use mobile phones on board, before the specific ban on using mobile devices can be lifted.
Customers will be billed by their own mobile provider, like any other global roaming tarrif, and there will be additional costs payable onboard.
A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority told reporters the exemption for mobile phones would be in line with the one which permits the use of handsets on "flight mode" after take-off and before landing.
If you are thinking of travelling to New Zealand to see next years Rugby World Cup at least you will be able to keep in touch with friends and family on the trip over. Also book your parking at Heathrow well beforehand if you are looking to book cheaper off airport parking.
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