Airlines in India can now offer in-flight Wi-Fi services in domestic flights, with the new amendment by the Central Govt. to earlier rules.
According to the notification posted on X, today on 5 November 2024, by the Department of Telecommunications, Govt. of India, the Flight and Maritime Connectivity Rules have been amended to make internet connectivity available on flights via Wi-Fi.
As per their notification, the Central Government has amended the Flight and Maritime Connectivity Rules 2018 to allow in-flight Wi-Fi internet services. This will really be helpful for travellers, especially during longer domestic flights.
These rules may be called the Flight and Maritime Connectivity (Amendment) Rules, 2024, as per the notification, which further notifies that they shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
The notification further states that “Notwithstanding the minimum height in Indian airspace referred to in sub-rule (1), Internet services through Wi-Fi in aircraft shall be made available when electronic devices are permitted to be used in the aircraft.”.
Although in-flight Wi-Fi services was already available in some international flights, it was so far not available in India due to the earlier restrictions on it. However, with this aforementioned 2024 amendment to the earlier rules, now airlines can offer in-flight Wi-Fi services during domestic air travel in India.
This means that airlines in India may soon begin offering in-flight Wi-Fi services during domestic air travel.
Earlier this year in April 2024, India's DGCA had updated the Air Transport Circular and allowed unbundled services on opt-in basis in domestic airlines in India.
We have to wait and see whether the in-flight Wi-Fi service will be added to the list of services to be unbundled and charged separately on an opt-in basis or whether it is going to get bundled and you get charged for it whether you use it or not.