Lok Sabha Question No. 2359 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Availability of in-flight Wi-Fi
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Smt. D K Aruna, Shri Tangella Uday Srinivas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## Lok Sabha

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2359 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  13th March 2025 )

## AVAILABILITY OF IN-FLIGHT WI-FI

2359.    SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS SMT D K ARUNA

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether it is true that AIR INDIA rolled out Wi-Fi internet connectivity services on board domestic flights operated in its fleet such as Airbus A 350, Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A 321neo and if so, the details thereof along with the present status of its implementation;
- (b) the steps being taken by the Government to extend the said facility to both  domestic  and  international  flights  in  a  time-bound  manner,  sectorwise;
- (c)  the  details  of  airlines  in  the  country  offering  in-flight  Wi-Fi  services along with its availability across routes/specific flights;
- (d) whether the said Wi-Fi services are free/paid and the internet access is unrestricted/limited to certain content and if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  the  role  of  the  Government  in  granting  regulatory  approvals  and coordinating with telecom service providers and airlines for the rollout of in-flight Wi-Fi services;
- (f)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  mandate  and  incentivize Indian  carriers  to  provide  in-flight  Wi-Fi  services,  especially  on  long-haul and international routes and if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) the comparison of in-flight Wi-Fi availability and accessibility on Indian carriers  versus  global  airlines  along  with  the  measures  being  taken  to bring Indian airlines at par with international standards?

## ANSWER

## Minister  of  State  in  the  Ministry  of  CIVIL  AVIATION            (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a):  Yes,  Air  India  has  rolled  out  Wi-Fi  on  domestic  and  international flights.      This  service  is  being  offered  on  A350,  A321  and  B789  type aircraft, which are equipped to provide Wi-Fi on board.; ; (b):  The  Government  has  notified  the  amended  Rule  29B  of  the  Aircraft Rules, 1937 vide GSR No. 142(E) dated 21.02.2020 for permitting the use of  internet  services  by  passengers  on board  an  aircraft  in  flight  through Wi-Fi for use of smartphone in flight mode or airplane mode.; ; In  compliance  of  Rule  29B  of  the  Aircraft  Rules,  1937,  the  detailed requirements  have  been  issued  as  Civil  Aviation  Requirements  (CAR) Section 5 Series X Part I dated 24.11.2020 for the use of internet service through Wi-Fi.; ; Further, there is no distinction regarding use of inflight Wi-Fi connectivity for domestic and international operations. ; It is for the airlines to provide the internet connectivity in compliance with Rule 29B of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 during the flight.; ; (c): Only Air India is providing Wi-Fi services in India, on certain types of aircraft such as A350, A321 and B789.; ; The availability of Wi-Fi on board is indicated to the passenger on the air ticket.  These aircraft are not deployed on specific routes and hence such services are not assured on any specific route or flight number.; ; (d):  Air  India  is  providing  free  internet  on  board  on  aircraft  which  are equipped with Wi-Fi equipment for browsing only.; ; (e):  Operators  have  to  comply  with  the  Directorate  General  of  Civil Aviation  (DGCA)  Civil  Aviation  Requirements  (CAR)  and  also  with  the guidelines/  rules  issued  by  the  Telecom  Department  in  order  to  operate such Wi-Fi service. Permission is accorded once the operator demonstrates compliance with these requirements.; ; (f): There is no such proposal to mandate or incentivize Indian carriers to
- provide in-flight Wi-Fi services by DGCA.;

; (g): DGCA does not monitor availability and accessibility of such services and only provides permission to operate Wi-Fi services to Indian carriers. ******