WASHINGTON, Dec 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Thursday granted Boeing Co. (BA) a license to provide high-speed Internet service to airline passengers. Boeing said the FCC approval clears the way for its planned in-flight Internet service, called Connexion by Boeing, which will enable airlines and other commercial jet operators to offer real-time, high-speed Internet and intranet access, television and e-mail above U.S. territory and waters. Last June, Boeing announced that AMR Corp.'s (AMR) American Airlines, UAL Corp.'s (UAL) United Airlines and Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) would help fund Connexion's development. But in November, Boeing said the three U.S. airlines canceled plans to invest in the high-speed airborne Internet service, citing concerns in the wake of the Sept. 11 hijack attacks on New York and the Pentagon. Boeing still plans to install and test Connexion on jetliners at its European launch customer, Deutsche Lufthansa AG(LHAG), in late 2002 or early 2003. The company said tests it conducted showed the Connexion service can operate without causing interference to other spectrum users. The satellite-based system is one of several Boeing ventures to diversify the company and ease its reliance on its world-leading commercial jet business, which rises and falls with the cyclical fortunes of the airline industry. ©2001 Reuters Limited.