Philippine airline Cebu Pacific Air announced plans to provide in-flight connectivity via OnAir on its Airbus A330 fleet starting in 2013. The airline also has the option to install Wi-Fi on its fleet of Airbus A320s, for short haul flights, in the next phase.
Once Internet OnAir is in service, Cebu Pacific passengers will be able to access the Internet during flights and make calls using Voice Over IP applications, using their Wi-Fi enabled personal electronic devices, such as Android phones and tablets, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry and laptops. Cebu Pacific’s A330 fleet is scheduled to have Wi-Fi installed mid-next year, in time for the airline’s initial deployment of long haul services. CEB’s A330 fleet, planned for introduction in the third quarter 2013, will allow Cebu Pacific to provide direct, non-stop flights to regions within the aircraft’s 11-hour flying range including the Middle East, Australia, parts of Europe and the United States.
CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319s, 20 Airbus A320s and 8 ATR-72 500s. Between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 22 more Airbus A320s and 30 Airbus A321neos. In 2013, CEB will take delivery of 4 Airbus A330 wide-bodies to launch its long haul operations in the same year.
“We are very happy to provide our guests with the convenience of online connectivity while in-flight. CEB can now engage passengers through innovative web-based solutions that will further enhance their flying experience with us,” said Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and distribution.
“Cebu Pacific is OnAir’s first low-cost, long-range Wi-Fi client in Asia. As the air transport market develops, we expect to see more LCCs operating long-haul routes and there is no doubt they will want to provide connectivity,” said Ian Dawkins, CEO of OnAir.