Building on its announcement last month at NBAA, SmartSky took advantage of the APEX EXPO event in Long Beach, CA this week to formally launch business operations for commercial regional airlines across the Continental United States (CONUS). The company’s high speed air-to-ground network provides a new alternative for airline looking to bring high performing in-flight connectivity to the smaller aircraft in their fleet.
IFC
OneWeb, GDC Technics partner on new ESA solution
OneWeb and GDC Technics signed a Joint Development Agreement to deliver a new in-flight connectivity terminal. The new terminal, based on the electronically steered antenna technology developed by Ball Aerospace, will enable airlines to connect their aircraft, passengers, and crew over OneWeb’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication network.
AirAsia brings Inmarsat GX Aviation installations in-house with Asia Digital Engineering
The AirAsia group is getting deeper into the in-flight connectivity business. Wholly owned subsidiary Asia Digital Engineering (ADE) completed its first installation of the GX Aviation system on a company A320, opening the door to future installations for both AirAsia and other airlines in the region.
Viasat activates coverage over China
Viasat added a major boost to its Ka-band network this week, activating connectivity over China. The capacity, first announced in early 2019, is made available through a partnership with China Satcom and the ChinaSat-16 satellite.
Making the Business (Aviation) case for LEO at Gogo
“We are in active conversations in the LEO and ESA world.”
That comment from Gogo CEO Oakleigh Thorne earlier this summer kicked off significant speculation on what the next next generation (after Gogo 5G) will look like.
World2Fly picks GX Aviation via SITA for A350 WiFi
Spanish leisure airline World2Fly officially activated in-flight internet on its first A350-900. The GX Aviation platform from Inmarsat will deliver high-speed connectivity on board, with integration services delivered by SITA’s Internet ONAIR division.
Porter Airlines picks Viasat for E195-E2 WiFi
As Porter Air adds jets to the fleet the on-board experience will see an upgrade as well. The carrier announced the new E195-E2 fleet will include in-flight internet service from Viasat on board.
Scratch another IFC player from the commercial market
The Dubai Air Show provided plenty of positive news in the in-flight entertainment and connectivity world this week, but also some bad news. A second player is now out of the commercial aviation connectivity business.
Iraqi Airways chooses Panasonic Avionics for IFE/C future
Streaming, in-seat, or internet-connected? Iraqi Airways’ new in-flight entertainment and connectivity plans will include a bit of each, all powered by Panasonic Avionics. The deal, announced at the Dubai Airshow this week, covers 31 aircraft.
Rex activates WiFi on 737s
Australia’s Rex Airlines is now online in the sky. The carrier officially activated the 2Ku satellite internet offering from Intelsat on its fleet of 737-800s. And, to help acquaint passengers with the service, WiFi is free on board for the rest of November.