The European Aviation Safety Authority has given clearance for the use of mobile phones in airplanes, meaning airline passengers in Europe will be able to use handsets during flights for the first time.

Air France will be the first airline to trial the technology. In the UK, BMI have said they will test on-board mobile phone and data usage, before deciding on whether it will roll the technology out across its fleet.

Ryanair is planning a full fleet deployment later this year and will install the OnAir technology on its Boeing 737 aircraft.