Royal Jordanian Launches Mobile OnAir Inflight Passenger Communications Service

GENEVA – Oneworld member Royal Jordanian today launched mobile inflight passenger communications services from OnAir. The new commercial service, which will be available in the first phase on its recently received A319 aircraft flying to Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and India, will enable passengers to stay connected inflight using their own mobile phones or BlackBerry-type devices to send and receive text messages and emails, make and receive phone calls, and access the Internet. Passengers will also be able to access the Internet using their own laptops fitted with GSM data cards.

"Royal Jordanian has always been a leader in e-travel—from providing passengers with the ability to book online to issuing e-tickets, making online seat reservations and using self check-in kiosks at the airport," says Samer Majali, President and CEO, Royal Jordanian. "We are very pleased to partner with industry leader, OnAir, to offer the latest passenger communications technology onboard our aircraft, and we expect these new capabilities to further enhance the high-quality customer service that our passengers have come to expect from Royal Jordanian."

Mobile OnAir uses an extensive infrastructure for mobile communications, along with Inmarsat SwiftBroadband, high capacity services from Inmarsat 4th generation satellites. With OnAir's advanced mobile communications technology, Royal Jordanian passengers will benefit from global coverage and high-speed connectivity.

"Royal Jordanian operates in a highly competitive and demanding market, in which service excellence is critical," says Benoit Debains, CEO of OnAir. "They were the first airline in the Middle East to announce a partnership with us back in December 2007, and we are pleased to offer the highest available standard of connectivity to their passengers, while at the same time helping them generate additional revenues."

The Royal Jordanian launch comes amidst mounting demand for inflight passenger communications. A growing number of commercial airlines and private aviation companies either currently offer OnAir inflight communications services or will offer them in the near future. This includes airlines such as Air Asia, AirAsia X, Airblue, British Airways, bmi, Jazeera, Kingfisher, Oman Air, Ryanair, Shenzhen Airlines, TAM, TAP, and Wataniya Airways. OnAir also serves private VIP and Governmental customers through partnerships with Airbus Corporate Jets, Aviation Centre Cologne and Jet Aviation.

Since December 2007, passengers have used Mobile OnAir services on around 2,500 commercial flights to more than 74 cities in 34 countries in Europe and North Africa. According to a recent passenger survey, 80 percent of passengers who have used Mobile OnAir services on selected flights would like these services to be available on every flight.

For more information visit www.onair.aero.