Mango has announced that it aims to be the first South African airline to offer Internet connectivity on board all its aircraft later this year, subject to South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) approval.
 
The airline, whose partnership with G-Connect has already delivered more affordable bandwidth to South Africans, has extended this association with the provider to include the in-flight service.
 
Using the G-Connect Internet on board Mango’s aircraft will cost less than R1 per megabyte.
 
Mango’s Internet service will be operational across its fleet of new-generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft. There are no sign-up costs to get a G-Connect account and no contract tie-ins. The G-Connect account then allows passengers to stay connected through a shared wallet on the ground or in-flight Wi-Fi, paying only for the services use.
 
“The satellite-based technology will deliver high-speed Internet at altitude. “In fact, the cost of data transfer is more affordable than many bandwidth offerings on the ground,” said Nico Bezuidenhout, Mango ceo.
 
Bezuidenhout, however, said Mango’s service would be moderated to exclude access to potentially offensive web content.
 
“In order to ensure the comfort of all our guests on board, content that should be accessed in privacy will not be available.”
 
Subash Devkaran, Senior Manager: Aircraft Certification Division of of the Civil Aviation Authority adds: "The application for and availability of wireless Internet on board commercial airliners is welcomed by the CAA. We do believe installation of this system would facilitate business efficiency in South Africa, thereby contributing to enhanced economic growth in the country."