AirAsia to provide in-flight broadband on 120 aircraft

AirAsia to provide in-flight broadband on 120 aircraft

Malaysia-based carrier signs deal with satellite firm Inmarsat Continue reading

AirAsia is to provide broadband access on 120 of its Airbus A320 and A330 aircraft.

The Malaysia-based budget carrier has signed a deal with satellite firm Inmarsat to provide the in-flight broadband.

Access will be available on aircraft across the group, including long-haul arm AirAsia X.

The first installations will start in the first half of 2018, the BBC reported.

AirAsia chief executive, Tony Fernandes, said it would enable passengers to stream films or music, check social media, message friends and send and receive emails.

The agreement also has the scope to include installation of the Inmarsat GX Aviation broadband to any additional aircraft types due for delivery in the coming years, such as the Airbus A350.

Inmarsat Aviation president Philip Balaam said: “AirAsia Group is one of the aviation industry’s leading innovators and we are delighted that GX Aviation will play a key role in their future service offering.

“The scale of this contract, covering more than 120 existing aircraft and one of the industry’s largest orderbooks for additional aircraft, showcases our status as a global market leader in advanced in-flight broadband.”

Fernandes said: “GX Aviation will form the backbone of AirAsia’s digital cabin offering. By delivering in-flight connectivity that is indistinguishable from what you get on-ground, our guests will be able to stay connected in ways that matter to them, whether it’s streaming movies or music, checking social media, messaging friends or catching up with work emails.”