The black-liveried Airbus A320 aircraft, which commences its first commercial flights today, will be fitted with new in-flight mobile technology which, within the next month, will enable the safe use of phones to make and receive phone calls, text messages and emails, during the cruise stage of flights.
The system, which will be available on the domestic A320 aircraft only, is designed so that passengers' cellphone signals are routed through an aircraft cell site.
The service is a deal with Vodafone New Zealand and OnAir.
Inflight roaming costs will apply; 80c per outbound text, $3.50 per minute to make a call, $2 per minute to receive a call and $20 per megabyte of data. Other mobile providers may have different rates for their customers.
The move has Civil Aviation Authority approval.
The use of cellphones will be prohibited during critical phases of flight such as the takeoff and landing.
