ACTE PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Travel Group President To Transport Canada: Put In-flight Internet Service On Your Radar Screen
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Toronto (Dec. 17) -- The leader of the largest business travel management organization in Canada is amazed that transportation authorities here have no plans to even study the feasibility of in-flight internet access nor the less restrictive use of cell phones aboard aircraft. "This keeps the door closed on two technological developments that could be worth millions to Canadian companies," said Garth Jopling, president of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives.
Published reports that Transport Canada had no plans to review neither in-flight internet access nor increased in-flight cell phone use surfaced after an announcement by the Federal Communications Commission in the US to lift the ban there.
"In-flight internet connections would allow business travellers to work in 'real time' during thousands of hours normally lost in transit. This option extends the office function right into the cabin of the aircraft," said Jopling. "And I can certainly tell you that having access to this service is secondary only to more legroom."
Jopling added that Transport Canada's position sends the wrong message to the business community. "Far from inconsequential amenities to further amuse bored passengers, in-flight internet service and less restrictive cell phone use have a real monetary value to Canadian companies fielding thousands of executives traveling for business."
How much money? This will be the subject of an ACTE membershipwide poll later this month.
The ACTE president is not recommending that Transport Canada rush into approving these new traveller services. He insists that every consideration must be made regarding passenger safety, and the impact of computers and cell phones on avionics must be thoroughly explored.
"But it is a huge mistake on the part of Transport Canada 'not to even consider' the potential advantages for business. And I would ask Transport Canada to think about the great competitive disadvantage this will levy against Canadian carriers in the likely event these services become available on the carriers of other countries flying here."
For more information, contact:
Jack Riepe
Global Communications Director
t: 610-719-8396
c: 610-256-0124
e: [email protected]
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