AIR France has activated the voice capability of the OnAir onboard cellphone system being trialled aboard one of its Airbus A318s, it was announced here today.

The French carrier has been testing OnAir’s data capabilities – text messaging and email via mobile phones and email with BlackBerry-type devices - since last December. From today passengers aboard the A318, which is operating on scheduled services across Europe and North Africa, will be able to make and receive calls just as they do on the ground. To use the service travellers will need only a standard handset or BlackBerry and a roaming agreement, and they will be billed through their home operators in the normal way.

The OnAir service currently allows up to six simultaneous calls, unlimited text messages and emails, and downloading of email attachments.

“During the first three months of the trial passenger feedback has been positive regarding the features, quality of transmission and user-friendliness of the service,” said Patrick Roux, executive VP for marketing at Air France.