Boeing abandons in-flight Internet service (AFP)

CHICAGO (AFP) - US aerospace giant Boeing Co. said it was abandoning its Connexion unit providing high-speed Internet service on planes after it failed to win enough support from airlines.

"Over the last six years, we have invested substantial time, resources and technology in Connexion by Boeing," Boeing chief executive Jim McNerney said in a statement Thursday.

"Regrettably, the market for this service has not materialized as had been expected. We believe this decision best balances the long-term interests of all parties with a stake in Connexion by Boeing," he said.

Boeing said in June that it was reviewing the future of the service, which enabled passengers on Connexion-equipped flights to access the Internet over a satellite-based broadband connection.

Only 11 airlines, mostly Asian carriers flying long-haul, had signed up for the service.

The airlines typically charged 30 dollars per flight or 10 dollars for 30 minutes of in-flight Internet access.

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