Ryanair today announced a deal that will see Ryanair's entire fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft fitted with OnAir's onboard mobile communications solution. The announcement will make Ryanair the first European airline to offer Europe-wide mobile telephony services during flights across its entire fleet of aircraft to all passengers via their own mobile phones and smartphones.

From mid 2007 (subject to relevant regulatory approval) Ryanair's passengers will be able to call, text and e-mail using their mobile phones, BlackBerrys and Treos at rates which will mirror international roaming charges. OnAir intend to fit 50 Ryanair aircraft during the second half of 2007, with the remainder of the fleet receiving installations from early 2008 onwards. Mobile OnAir will be offered on all Ryanair flights across Ryanair's network of more than 360 routes serving 23 countries across Europe.

Developed by inflight communications specialist OnAir, Mobile OnAir uses lightweight onboard technology to allow passengers to make and receive calls, exchange SMS messages and connect to e-mail via satellite broadband links and a ground network to be supplied by OnAir's telecoms infrastructure partner, Monaco Telecom.

OnAir's solution allows mobile phone operators to charge passengers using Mobile OnAir at rates in line with current international roaming charges on passengers' normal monthly bills. Ryanair will receive a commission from OnAir on call revenues generated by passengers on board its aircraft.