In-flight connectivity has become a standard feature on many global airlines, allowing passengers to stay connected in the air.
However, domestic airline passengers might have to wait a little longer before this becomes a reality in South African aviation.
The current landscape
"Yes, absolutely," says Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer of FlySafair, when asked whether South African airlines would eventually offer WiFi.
“We believe it’s something that’s ultimately bound to happen with newer technologies entering the market, but it’s a little hard to determine exactly how long it will take, given some of the hurdles that need to be overcome.”
Gordon attributes the challenges to high costs, regulatory approvals, and whether such a service makes sense for South Africa's relatively short domestic flights.
The cost conundrum
The financial implications of equipping aircraft with WiFi technology are significant.
"It depends on what kind of service you get and how you implement it," Gordon explains. "The equipment is costly to procure and install. Some of it can devalue the aircraft hull, leading to indirect costs, and then there’s the actual usage costs.”
Starlink, a global leader in in-flight connectivity, is often cited as a potential solution.
"Starlink’s technology is amazing," says Gordon. "But it’s not available right now. There’s global demand for the hardware, regulatory approvals to overcome, and safety certifications for aircraft fitting."
An anonymous aviation expert adds that many local airlines operate older or leased aircraft, complicating the financial feasibility of retrofitting them with WiFi.
"If you are going to offer in-flight connectivity, it only makes sense if you can offer it to all your customers on all your flights," the expert explains. "Many South African carriers augment their fleets with leased planes, whose owners may not agree to the modifications required for WiFi installation."
Viability
One key question is whether WiFi makes sense on South Africa’s short domestic routes.
"Ultimately, WiFi will come, and it will be a basic requirement, but customers need to be prepared to pay for it. It needs to be affordable on that level to be viable. It’s tough to see the viability right now, but as these things develop, it may change,” Gordon says.
The anonymous aviation expert agrees, suggesting that passenger demand for WiFi on short domestic flights may not justify the investment.
"Anecdotal evidence suggests people are happy to be offline for an hour or two. It’s a different proposition for flights over three to four hours, especially when crossing time zones."
