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Air New Zealand passengers may soon be able to send text messages during flights.
The airline has indicated change is on the books to the New Zealand aviation regulations prohibiting cellphone use in-flight, with proposals to allow in-flight text messaging.
Air New Zealand's deputy chief executive Norm Thompson told The Press newspaper he had discussed the issue at a Star Alliance conference in Vienna, and the matter was on Air New Zealand's agenda.
Introducing texting on flights would bring Air New Zealand on to the same level as European airlines, Mr Thompson said.
However, others in the industry were not as enthusiastic.
Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Bill Sommers said aircraft would have to be altered to prevent interference with navigational equipment.
"It's not in our rules programme - that's for real. And it's not a matter of someone saying `that's a good idea, let's change it'. It would have to go through a process," he said.
Telecom spokesman Ian Bonnar said the idea was a "potentially interesting", but would not be possible until special transmitting equipment was installed in the aircraft.
"It's just an idea at this stage. It's actually not technically possible to use standard handset technology to generate a signal from 30,000 feet."
Qantas has adopted new regulations expected to be in action later this year to allow passengers flying on domestic Australian flights to text in flight.
A Qantas spokeswoman said passengers on domestic Australian flights would be able to send texts and emails but would not be allowed to make phone calls.
- NZPA
