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TAM Airlines: Tam Airlines Launches Onair Inflight Connectivity Services In BrazilSo Paulo, Brazil,, Oct 28, 2010 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- TAM Airlines today began offering inflight mobile communications through a pioneering partnership with OnAir using its industry-leading, onboard connectivity solutions. Based on Inmarsat SwiftBroadband, the high-capacity service is now available to passengers traveling aboard TAM's Airbus A321 operating between Guarulhos, Recife, Natal, Fortaleza and Porto Alegre. Using OnAir's service, passengers can make and receive phone calls, send and receive text messages and access the Internet through GPRS networks from their own GSM handsets. "With our Spirit to Serve, we are innovating once again to offer the best service. The demand of an onboard cellular was detected on researches with our passengers who wish to be connected to work, family and friends while traveling, "said Manoela Amaro, TAM Airlines' Marketing Director. "We are delighted to help TAM deliver a service to their clients that will differentiate them from their competitors," said OnAir CEO Ian Dawkins. "The service meets customers' needs as they travel with TAM to and from Brazil's fast-growing markets." TAM's service allows as many as eight passengers to make and receive calls simultaneously on a flight with no limits on data and text messaging. Mobile phones will work in exactly the same way as in international roaming and can be activated as soon as the aircraft reaches an altitude of 4,000 metres (13 thousand feet). Passengers can use their Smartphones onboard to access e-mails or surf the Internet and usage will be charged directly by the mobile network provider to the passenger's phone bill at rates set by his or her usual provider. During takeoff passengers will be instructed to switch off their electronic devices. The system provides complete aircraft safety by preventing any interference between mobile phone signals, mobile infrastructures on the ground and the aircraft's commands. If necessary, the OnAir system can be turned off by the aircraft's crew at any time. It is important to note that, even if devices are inadvertently left on during landing and takeoff, they cannot interfere with the aircraft's systems. TAM Airlines received technical approval from the Brazilian National Agency of Civil Aviation (ANAC) as well as operational certification by the Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) prior to installing OnAir's services. The system has been certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and its use was recently approved by the European Union. Today, TAM has already installed the system onboard an Airbus A321 equipped with 220 seats. The company plans to equip more aircraft on domestic routes with the technology starting in 2011. About TAM Airlines TAM Airlines (www.tamairlines.com.br), a member of Star Alliance, leads the Brazilian domestic market since July 2003 and ended the month of September with a 42.4% market share. The company flies to 44 destinations in Brazil. With the business agreements signed with regional companies, it offers 88 different destinations within the country. TAM's market share among Brazilian airlines that operate international flights was of 84.5% in September. International flights include direct flights to 17 destinations in the United States, Europe and South America: New York, Miami and Orlando (USA), Paris (France), London (England), Milan (Italy), Frankfurt (Germany), Madrid (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Cochabamba and Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia), Santiago (Chile), Asuncion and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), Montevideo (Uruguay), Caracas (Venezuela) and Lima (Peru). Furthermore it has codeshare agreements that allow passengers to travel to another 78 destinations in the USA, South America, Europe and Asia. The Star Alliance network, in turn, offers flights to 1,172 airports in 181 countries. TAM is a pioneer in launching a loyalty program for the airline in Brazil. TAM Fidelidade has already distributed 10.8 million airplane tickets through point redemption and is part of the Multiplus program, which now has 7.2 million members. About OnAir OnAir provides industry-leading, onboard 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 four of 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 and GPRS for voice, 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. OnAir was awarded greatest contributor to SBB growth in 2009. ((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected]. |