Flight Wi-Fi Service: In-flight passengers can access WiFi only when allowed, say new rules

The government clarified on Monday that passengers will be able to use internet services through Wi-Fi during flight only when the use of electronic devices is allowed in the aircraft after it has reached an altitude of 3,000 meters.

The government has allowed mobile communication services only after the aircraft reaches a height of 3,000 meters in Indian airspace under the Flight and Maritime Contact Rules, 2018. This has been done to avoid interference with terrestrial mobile networks. In this context, the government said in the new rule notified, “Irrespective of the minimum height in Indian airspace specified in sub-rule (one), internet services through Wi-Fi will be provided in the aircraft only when the use of electronic devices is allowed in the aircraft. The newly notified rule will be called Flight and Maritime Contact (Amendment) Rules, 2024.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued a notification for this and amended the Aircraft Act, 1937. According to this, ‘The pilot in command can allow passengers to use the Internet through Wi-Fi during the flight.’ Passengers can use devices like laptop, smartphone, e-reader, smartwatch or tablet through the Internet.

This service can be suspended by the pilot for the time when the weather is bad and visibility is very low. Let us tell you that under Rule 29B of the Aircraft Act 1937, it has been made a rule that no passenger or pilot will use electronic devices in flight. But, now under the notification issued by the Ministry, the pilot in command can provide this service on the basis of Sub Rule 1.

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