For five ringgits (US$2.4) passengers will be entitled to 3MB of data usage on WhatsApp, Line, and WeChat. — Photo therealsingapore.com

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — Low-cost carrier AirAsia will offer wi-fi connections for smart-phone apps on board 20 aircraft by the end of this year, and expand it to all of its aircraft by next year.

Initially, it will be available only on aircraft belonging to its Malaysia operations.

For five ringgits (US$2.4) passengers will be entitled to 3MB of data usage on WhatsApp, Line, and WeChat.

Kenny Wong, head of commercial for Air Asia, said the airline is proud to be the first in Malaysia to offer this service at a most affordable rate.

Air Asia recently signed an agreement with INTERPOL to integrate the I-Checkit system to check the passports of all its prospective passengers against information the world police body's Stolen and Lost Travel Documents database. — VNS