Inmarsat's European Aviation Network (EAN) received approval this week from Belgian telecom authorities for its ground component service. Again. That's good news for the inflight connectivity provider as it works to secure the necessary regulatory approvals across Europe in advance of service launch, still expected later this year. It is a setback for Viasat, Eutelsat, and Panasonic Avionics as they fight the EAN deployment through legal and regulatory battles.
IFC
Counting connections and commitments
Connectivity installations slow slightly over the summer, allowing an opportunity to take a big picture look at the industry and where the various players sit in terms of connected aircraft and future commitments. Compared to a year ago some players have shifted positions, even as the total committed count increases. The latter is definitely good news for all involved while the former is better for some than others.
Viasat 8: The Ocho!
It is just one small line inserted into today's Viasat earnings notes, "... total next-generation IFC system installations to around 200 aircraft across eight commercial airlines." The 200 number is nice, but the eight is more significant.
[PR] New Global Head of Marketing and Product Management for Panasonic Avionics
Panasonic Avionics has a new marketing boss with a strong background in cloud services and AI systems. It will be interesting to follow the company’s shift in focus as the leadership team continues its rebuild after the bribery scandal, especially as IFE/C or airline-related experience appears an optional qualification.
Connectivity milestones aplenty
Just how many aircraft carry inflight connectivity hardware? And which kit?? A pair of announcements this week gives greater insight into which kit is where and how the market is shifting, rapidly in some cases. Not that installation number 1000 matters more than number 999, of course. Yet somehow it does. Just a little.
[PR] A new head for Thales InFlyt Experience
Thales InFlyt has a new boss. Philippe Carette takes over from Dominique Giannoni to run the IFE/C portion of the company effective immediately.
Gogo 2020 program aims for massive cost cuts
Gogo plans significant cost cuts as it seeks to shore up its financial position. Facing a financing crunch the company's "Gogo 2020" business plan unveiled this week will see hundreds of millions of dollars cut from cost side of the balance sheet as jobs and programs are dropped from the company.
Which airline doesn’t hate its connectivity provider?
When senior airline executives are willing to trash their vendors in public that's usually bad news for everyone involved. Welcome to the inflight connectivity world, where airlines are almost as unhappy as the passengers struggling to stay online in the sky. Alas, only part of that frustration is grounded in reality.
[EBACE18] Technik’s home-grown TIOS+ triband radome set to fly on a 737 MAX BBJ
One lucky 737 MAX 8 BBJ customer will soon be flying with the newest triband connectivity radome available in the business aviation market. The sleek tailmount kit is the latest from Technik’s in-house innovation team, part of a transition the company is making towards developing more cool systems rather than just installing those designed by other companies.
AirBaltic commits to CS300 fleet growth
AirBaltic loves its CSeries jets. The Latvian carrier is set to dramatically grow that fleet. Today’s deal with Bombardier, inked just over one year since the first CS300 arrived in Riga, adds at least 30 more of the type to its fleet.









