Business travellers will enthusiastically take up the option of using their mobile phones and other devices on aircraft, according to a global survey of airline passengers.

The survey, by technology provider OnAir, showed people travelling for business purposes wanted to be able to use their mobile devices during flights more than any other group of travellers.

In particular they wanted to be able to use their smartphones, like BlackBerry and Treo, to send and receive emails and to be reachable by phone during flights, effectively making time spent on board as useful as any other part of their working day, according to OnAir.

The research found that among travellers flying for business:

* Over 90 per cent carry a mobile phone when travelling.

* Up to 40 per cent carry a BlackBerry or Treo when travelling.

* 65 per cent of BlackBerry and Treo users would turn their devices on during flights.

* 94 per cent would take calls and check emails during flights.

* 82 per cent would make calls and send emails during flights.

A breakdown of the survey results also showed that, although business travellers were more likely to use their mobile devices than leisure passengers, a significant proportion of leisure passengers also wanted to remain in touch during flights:

The highest volume activity would be SMS messaging:

* 33 per cent more texts would be sent and received than any other application, including voice calls.

Eighty per cent of all respondents, whether they would use their mobile devices during flights or not, had a positive perception of the concept:

* 38 per cent perceived it as a service that allowed people to stay in touch during flights and profitably use time on board.

* 42 per cent stated that it would be a bonus to be able to exchange text messages and emails, although voice calls would have to be managed.