A wireless communications system, and a corresponding method, for use with an aircraft, includes airborne pico cell base stations mounted on the aircraft, the base stations capable of communication with wireless devices used by subscribers on the aircraft via using switching/transaction processing equipment located optionally on the aircraft or in the ground network with one or more ground-based networks. The system includes aircraft location equipment, in communication with the base stations, that determine the aircraft's location, including latitude, longitude, altitude, and other relevant data. Finally, the system includes a wireless communications enable/disable module that receives the aircraft's location and enables and disables wireless communications through the base stations based on the aircraft's location.