Welcome to the PaxEx Update for 5 July 2019, bringing you biggest headlines on what’s changed for passenger experience in the past week.
Satellite
Inmarsat scores high-speed polar coverage with new GX satellites
Inmarsat continues its GX network expansion plans, announcing another pair of payloads to deliver high speed service in the Arctic region.
ThinKom, Telesat reach LEO link milestone
ThinKom’s new Ka2517 aero satcom antenna is the latest to prove its viability for mixed orbit satellite constellations. The company successfully tested with the Telesat Phase 1 LEO satellite from June 10-14 at Telesat’s Allan Park facility in Ontario, Canada.
PaxEx Premium: LEO Link Success
The market for antennae with a proven track record of successful connections to LEO satellite constellations continues to grow. This week's news brings another Ka-band supplier into the fold.
French court rules, refers on EAN licenses
Eutelsat and Inmarsat are both claiming victories this afternoon in France as the Conseil d’Etat, the country's high court, issued a ruling regarding the issuance of licenses for the European Aviation Network (EAN) inflight wifi connectivity solution. It is the latest in the ongoing legal saga over the "complimentary ground component" of the network.
Inmarsat announces major growth for GX network
Massively greater bandwidth. Fully dynamic allocation of coverage and capacity. Significantly quicker to manufacture and launch. These are just a few of the characteristics expected from the next generation of satellites joining the Inmarsat GX constellation. The company announced plans today for the first of the new satellites to join the network in orbit from 2023.
Inmarsat receives FAA approval for SB-S platform
Inflight safety services communications have a new data network. Inmarsat announced today that the FAA approved its Swiftbroadband-Safety (SB-S) solution for support of air traffic services, delivering a link between air traffic control (ATC) and pilots via Inmarsat’s global L-band satellite constellation.
PaxEx Premium: Finding future financing
Gogo appears to have solved its most significant short-term challenge, with a $900mm debt offering lined up to provide five years of breathing room as the company inches towards a positive free cash flow.
Making the best of a limited bandwidth situation
Flights mostly outside Inmarsat’s European Aviation Network (EAN) terrestrial network coverage area present a special challenge of service levels and expectations. Here’s how the company is handling them in at least one scenario.
Stratolaunch takes flight, upsetting a 71-year old record
After more than 71 years there’s a new superlative in flight. Scaled Composites’ Stratolaunch now holds the title of largest (by wingspan) aircraft to fly, displacing the Spruce Goose. Will the future of Stratolaunch differ from its historical connection??








