Regulatory bodies

Working in partnership with regulatory authorities worldwide, OnAir has helped lead the industry in the development of harmonised regulatory frameworks, which have already significantly accelerated roll-out around the world.

These frameworks allow for the seamless operation of GSM services onboard aircraft flying across countries, and we continue to play this leadership role in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Gulf, the Americas and Africa.

'Mutual recognition' forms the basis of regulatory authorisations

Regulatory frameworks for mobile communications on aircraft began in Europe with a 2006 recommendation by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT). This body recommended to national regulators the authorisation of GSM operations onboard aircraft through the principle of 'mutual recognition': if authorised by regulators in the country of registry of the aircraft, then other countries should recognise this authorisation and allow the aircraft to operate the service while flying over their countries. The CEPT decision was effectively transposed into EU regulations on 7 April 2008.

The authorisation footprint is expanding rapidly

Regulators worldwide have adopted frameworks, guidelines and regulations that promote the authorisation for mobile communications on aircraft. Asian regulators completed the adoption of a comprehensive regulatory framework within the APT (Asia Pacific Telecommunity) Wireless Forum in August 2008. The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) has recommended the CEPT framework for wider circulation via the Arab League, and OnAir is currently in dialogue with regulators covering the Americas, Africa and the Peoples' Republic of China.