EgyptAir has become the latest carrier in the Middle East region to sign up for mobile phone connectivity services after picking the OnAir service for use on its Airbus A330-200s.

The Star Alliance carrier will take OnAir's mobile phone service, together with its Internet connectivity service, for the A330-300s which start entering its fleet in August next year. EgyptAir has five A330-300s on order. The aircraft will operate on European and North American routes, as well as in the Middle East.

EgyptAir chairman, Capt Sherif Saad Eldin Galal says: "We are constantly looking to improve our offering to passengers. This latest technology from OnAir helps us further differentiate our service, and enables our customers to stay in touch with colleagues, family and friends while they travel."

Passengers can use the OnAir service for call, text and e-mail from the aircraft using their own phones, while OnAir's Internet connectivity solution through which passengers will be able to access the Internet using their laptops onboard.

Middle East carriers have been among the forefront of those offering onbaord mobile phone services. Emirates was launch customer for the AeroMobile solution, while Royal Jordanian and Kuwaiti start-up Wataniya Airways began offering the OnAir service earlier this year. Jazeera Airways, Oman Air and Qatar Airways have also signed up for OnAir mobile services, while Saudi Arabian Airlines is taking the AeroMobile service.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news