Johannesburg - For the first time on a South African airline, passengers are able to tweet, check e-mails and, in time, will even be able to download movies.
Budget airline Mango has fitted out all six of its jets with wi-fi, and on Wednesday night, journalists and Minister of Public Enterprises Malusi Gigaba got a taste of things on a flight from Cape Town to Joburg.
“Businessmen will now have two hours where they can get a lot of e-mails done,” said the CEO of Mango, Nico Bezuidenhout.
The airline has been testing the technology since May, but it was only recently that all six of its planes were fitted with the technology, which works through satellite.
The satellite receiver is a dome that can be seen on top of each of the planes.
On the flight on Wednesday night, Gigaba was able to communicate with journalists on the ground through Twitter and live streaming. “This is cutting edge,” he said.
“The country can take pride in this. Now people will be able to communicate and work while on board.”
Passengers will be charged for the service.
- The Star