MHA throws a spanner over plans to offer internet to air travellers

It said the service implementation is contingent upon the adoption of strict safeguard measures

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has put a spoke in Civil Aviation Ministry's wheels to offer internet service to passengers on board Indian commercial planes, saying the proposal could be implemented only after the adoption of strict safeguard measures.

The MHA has said there was a high probability of internet service being misused if allowed for passengers mid- air without any safety features.

Besides, there was also the possibility of the ATC communication frequency being disrupted by the internet service mid-air, the home ministry has conveyed to the civil aviation ministry.

"We have told the civil aviation ministry that permission to offer mid-air internet service to air travellers could be given when all safety mechanism is in place," a home ministry official said.

The civil aviation ministry had proposed that air travellers be allowed to enjoy internet Wi-Fi service for surfing, e-mail, access to social media, connecting flight information, instant messaging, real-time travel services and destination deals.

High-quality library of audio/video content, state-of-the-art 3D flight tracker, interactive games and information on a variety of issues were part of the proposal.