OnAir connects Qatar Airways' Airbus A350 fleet with communication services

13 Sep 2011

APEX Annual Conference, Seattle, 13 September 2011 - Inflight connectivity in the commercial aviation market will come of age when Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: "We always seek to provide our passengers with service levels that exceed their expectations. As a Five Star airline, we invest in the latest technologies to further enhance our passengers' experience. Onboard passenger communications means both mobile phone and the Internet should be available, everywhere in the world and the OnAir solution goes a long step towards ensuring we maintain consistency on our different aircraft."

OnAir's satellite-based service allow passengers to use their mobile devices for calls, text messaging, email and mobile data, as well as providing inflight Internet access. It works in exactly the same way as international roaming, with usage costs being billed by the passenger's home network operator in the regular bill. Access to inflight Internet is as through a hotspot: the passengers simply enter their credit card details and start surfing.

Dawkins continued: "Mobile phones play an integral part in our lives and we want the choice to stay in touch all the time. Soon, using our phones on the plane will be as normal as having a cup of coffee and this deal with Qatar Airways demonstrates how close that day is."

OnAir's inflight telecoms services are already used by 12 airlines, operating over five continents, as well as by VIP and business jet operators, and shipping lines.

 About OnAir

OnAir provides industry-leading, on-board connectivity solutions that enable passengers to stay connected while they travel, and airlines and shipping lines to differentiate themselves through offering distinct services to customers. Present aboard airlines on five continents, OnAir provides the only air-travel industry sponsored solution for commercial airlines, private and corporate jets, Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and for long and short-haul flights. OnAir is the first provider of services based on SwiftBroadband, the latest high-bandwidth satellite technology from Inmarsat, which offers GSM, Mobile Data and Internet.

OnAir was incorporated in February 2005 and is owned by SITA, the leading IT solutions provider to the air transport world and Airbus, the leading aircraft manufacturer. OnAir is a member of the GSM Association and an Inmarsat Distribution Partner for SwiftBroadband services.

Today OnAir has 37 customers, of which 20 are currently in service, including 12 airlines. The company also has regulatory approvals from 77 countries and roaming agreements covering more than 2.2 billion GSM subscribers.

More information about OnAir is available at www.onair.aero

About Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways  is one of the world's fastest growing airlines currently operating a modern fleet of 98 passenger and cargo aircraft from its Doha hub to over 100 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.

The airline has orders worth over US$ 40 billion for more than 200 aircraft, including Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s, A320 Family of aircraft and Bombardier corporate jets. The rapid expansion of Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways  prompted the State of Qatar to embark on one of its biggest projects - the construction of a brand new international airport in Doha, which is scheduled to open in 2012. For more information on Qatar Airways,  visit www.qatarairways.com

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