When will local flights have WiFi?

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In-flight connectivity is now a common feature on many airlines around the world, enabling travellers to remain connected while flying. Many South Africans are asking when local flights will have WiFi. For now, it seems that passengers on domestic flights in South Africa may have to be patient a bit longer before this becomes available.

Will airlines in South Africa offer WiFi in the future?

According to Kirby Gordon, FlySafair’s Chief Marketing Officer, local airlines will definitely offer WiFi eventually. However, there is not a clear timeline at the present time. Gordon stated that it is something that is ultimately bound to happen with newer technologies entering the market, but it is difficult to determine exactly how long it will take, given some of the hurdles that need to be overcome. These challenges that he referred to include associated costs, regulatory approvals, and necessity, i.e. whether such a service is actually viable seeing that domestic flights in South Africa are relatively short.

Is it worth the cost?

According to Travel News, the financial implications of equipping aircraft with WiFi technology are significant. The costs involved depend on the type of service and its implementation. Gordon mentioned that the necessary equipment is costly to procure and install. Additionally, some of the equipment can devalue the aircraft hull, leading to indirect costs. This is in addition to the usage costs.

It is inevitable that these costs will have to be offset by increasing flight tickets. Many South Africans are already finding local flight tickets expensive as is, so this may pose a challenge.

Another challenge lies in the fact that some local airlines use leased aircraft to supplement their fleets. The owners of these leased aircraft may not agree to the upgrades needed to install WiFi and subsequently, that will stop the airline from offering the service. Offering the service will mean that it needs to be available on all flights/aircraft and not only some.

Why not use Starlink?

Starlink, a global leader in in-flight connectivity, could be the solution to equipping domestic flights with WiFi. However, it is not currently accessible. In addition to the significant global demand for the equipment, local airlines will have to navigate regulatory hurdles and get safety certifications for the planes if they want to go that route.