The adjustment in flight altitude is said to boost the country's aviation industry. (Photo : Reuters)
Travelers who frequently use in-flight WiFi are in for a treat. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has recently granted China Eastern Airlines’ request to operate in-flight Internet connections, according to Techweb.
China Eastern Airlines is the first Chinese carrier that MIIT has approved for wide-scale in-flight WiFi.
While this new added feature in China Eastern's flights has yet to be rolled out, observers are optimistic it will pave the way for other major domestic carriers to install in-flight Internet.
Chinese skies are notorious among frequent travelers for blocking the Internet. If one wants to check his email or surf the Web, he will have to wait until the flight has landed safely in Chinese soil.
It is a small leap toward progress, and China Eastern Airlines is gradually outfitting their fleet with WiFi capabilities. The Chinese carrier also has to procure additional licenses before their in-flight WiFi services can finally lift off the ground. China Eastern Airlines aims to have its entire fleet outfitted with the feature by 2018.
According to a China Eastern spokesman, 21 of the company's aircraft carriers have already been set up with WiFi capabilities. Passengers are expected to be able to connect online before the end of June.
Other Chinese carriers such as Hainan Airlines, China Southern and Air China are following China Eastern's steps, eager to offer in-flight WiFi to their passengers and crew as well.
Tech in Asia stated in a report that the "news probably means the floodgates have opened and more airlines will be getting MIIT approval to start installing in-flight Internet before too long."
