PASSENGERS could shortly be able to use their mobiles during flights to and from the island. ‘We have been in talks with mobile operators for some time and expect to be able to trial phone usage on board in the coming months, a move we expect will be welcomed by our regular business travellers,’ said a Flybe spokesman.

Until now, the use of mobile phones on aircraft has been banned in case signals interfere with navigation and radio equipment. But Ryanair announced on Thursday that it had struck a deal with telecom firm OnAir to allow passengers to make and receive calls, text messages and emails while they were airborne.

The technology involves putting a small mast on the aircraft which turns the passengers’ mobiles into satellite telephones, similar to those already found attached to seats on some aircraft, especially in the US.

‘Airlines have to develop with customer needs and today’s lifestyle is communications and technology driven. As leading airlines, allowing phone usage on board is purely delivering a known in-flight requirement.

‘Whether it’s to keep in touch with the office, phoning a taxi for your arrival or planning meetings for the week ahead, Flybe expect this latest development to be a move welcomed by the industry as a whole.’

Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart was not so sure that its users would welcome such a service.

‘If there was significant demand for this service, it is something that we would consider.

‘But, knowing Aurigny’s passengers like I do, I suspect that many would have strong objections to other people’s conversations and ringtones.

‘Passengers look forward to flying as downtime when they can read, relax and collect their thoughts.

‘For many, plane journeys are one of the few remaining havens from mobile phones.’

He said that any moves to allow mid-air mobile calls would be dependent on three factors – the cost of installing the technology, its suitability as advised by the Civil Aviation Authority and passenger demand.