Bring WiFi to flights, Assocham asks PM Modi

Flyers in India would be able to use WiFi on flights if Assocham's recommendations are accepted. 

Industry body Assocham in a representation to the prime minister, said, "Customer surveys clearly bring out that travellers expect to stay connected via their smart devices and laptops even while flying."

It is for this that Assocham has asked the Government to allow 'In Flight Connectivity' (IFC). 

“Earlier India permits the IFC, the better both for the air passengers as also for India’s image as a progressive country. IFC also enables digital payment in the aircraft while in the air and eliminates the need of cash," Assocham said. 

It said, "Vast majority of them (flyers) wants IFC and in fact choose an airline based on broadband availability. A number of airlines (72 airlines by the end of 2015) have already installed or announced plans to install passenger connectivity system on board and the number of connected commercial aircraft is increasing rapidly – thanks to the satellite high speed internet."

In defence of the argument, Assocham said that  a large number of countries and airlines have already operationalised the in-flight connectivity. "Even Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal have permitted

IFC in planes over- flying their territory while India is yet to take any decision," it said. 

“As a result each time an aircraft equipped with IFC enters Indian air space, it is forced to switch off the service to the passengers till it passes the Indian skies, causing hardship to the passengers”, Secretary General Mr D S Rawat said.