Six out of ten business travellers are sceptical over the future introduction of in-flight mobile phone technology according to a survey by Barclaycard Business. This does not auger well for Ryanair which plans to introduce a system on its aircraft during the summer.
In the US, the Federal Communications Commission has confirmed that it will keep a rule in place that requires the devices to be turned off during flights citing technical reasons, but noting their unpopularity.
The research by the plastic card supplier revealed that despite airlines investing in in-flight mobile phone technology most business travellers are sceptical about the new technology. Of those questioned in the survey six out of ten business travellers (59%) said that they would not want airlines to allow the use of mobile phones whilst flying, even if the technology proved to be risk-free.
The British survey found that in-flight mobile phone trials have generated differing reactions from business travellers. Chief executives were more in favour than their junior colleagues: 43% said they would want airlines to introduce the facility of in-flight phone use, compared to less than a third (31%) of company managers. The research also found that women (62%) were more against the introduction of mobile phone technology than their male counterparts (57%).
Denise Leleux, Barclaycard Business director of commercial cards, said: "There has been a lot of debate over the last two years regarding the pros and cons of mobile phone calls whilst flying. A number of airlines have publicly announced in-flight mobile trials, however, our research shows that a large number of business travellers are wary.
”This suggests that business people want to preserve this as a time to work or relax without fear of being interrupted, overheard, or having to listen to the person next to them."
One aspect that the survey did highlight was despite the uncertainty surrounding mobile phones on flights, business travellers are taking advantage of other technologies to reduce the time they spend at airports.
Whilst traditional check-in services remain the most used method of checking-in for flights, new forms, such as self-service kiosks and mobile/online check-in, are becoming more popular amongst the business community. The percentage of business travellers who had used new check-in services increased in 2006 at the expense of traditional methods.