Singapore Airlines selects SITAONAIR for GX connectivity

SITAONAIR CEO, Ian Dawkins

Singapore Airlines has chosen SITAONAIR for high-speed inflight connectivity on its long range fleet, using Inmarsat’s GX Aviation satellite network.

The installation of the first GX Aviation system, powered by Honeywell’s JetWave satellite communications hardware, is scheduled for the second half of 2016.

The first aircraft type to be equipped will be Singapore Airlines’ Boeing B777-300ER aircraft, followed by Airbus A380-800s and A350-900s.

As well as being the Wi-Fi Internet and mobile phone service provider, SITAONAIR will also manage the certification process for GX on the B777-300ER fleet, and provide the airborne GX Aviation systems on both the Boeing and the A380-800 fleets.

Thales will provide the airborne connectivity system for the A350-900s with SITAONAIR providing the Wi-Fi Internet and mobile phone service.

Zodiac Inflight Innovations will provide the GX satcom for the A380-800 and B777-300ER retrofit programmes, including radome and ARINC 791 installation provisions.

Ian Dawkins, CEO of SITAONAIR, said: “Singapore Airlines is one of the most respected carriers in the world. By choosing SITAONAIR services, it clearly demonstrates the superiority of GX Aviation in terms of passenger experience, reliable and global coverage.

“What is particularly exciting is that this is only the beginning of what we can do with connectivity.

“We already provide connectivity solutions for airline operations, from flight tracking to crew tablets, and from electronic flights bags to air traffic control AIRCOM services. The introduction of GX Aviation opens up a whole new world of opportunities for the connected aircraft,” he said.

GX Aviation will provide data speeds of up to 50Mbps to the aircraft. The third Inmarsat I-5 satellite for GX was successfully launched at the end of August, completing the constellation that will provide global coverage.

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