Saudi Arabian Airlines and OnAir have signed an agreement to install OnAir inflight passenger communications services on the carrier's fleet of twin-aisle Airbus A330 aircraft flying international routes.

The airline is expecting delivery of the first A330 in April 2010.

Saudi Arabian Airlines passengers will be able to stay connected inflight using their own mobile phones or BlackBerry-type devices to make and receive phone-calls, send and receive text messages and emails, and access the Internet, with OnAir's SwiftBroadband Mobile and WiFi Internet systems on the aircraft.

Using the Internet OnAir service, passengers will be able to access the Internet and VPN networks, just as they do on the ground by connecting their laptops either wirelessly or via a wired connection.

Through OnAir’s provision both of GSM/GPRS and WiFi Internet, Saudi Arabian Airlines passengers flying internationally in the new Airbus A330 fleet will enjoy the broadest range of inflight connectivity options available anywhere in the world today, according to a statement.

On Airbus A330, the service will be operate on AlnaV2 which will also provide the airline with a host of new improvements such as the use of cockpit and cabin crew applications as well as comprehensive integration with In Flight Entertainment systems.

“As we renew our fleet of aircraft, Saudi Arabian Airlines passengers will be able to stay in touch with colleagues, family and friends while they travel,” said Khalid Abdullah Almolhem, director general, Saudi Arabian Airlines.

“Saudi Arabian Airlines is a major operator and OnAir is proud to have been selected by this premium carrier,” said Benoit Debains, chief of OnAir.

Mobile OnAir uses the industry’s most advanced and extensive infrastructure for mobile communications, along with Inmarsat SwiftBroadband, high capacity services from Inmarsat 4th generation satellites.-TradeArabia News Service