Ibadan, 16 January 2023. – Emirates has selected Inmarsat as the in-flight connectivity provider for its incoming fleet of Airbus A350s as part of a commitment by the United Arab Emirates airline to ensure passengers’ fly better.’ The milestone agreement expands the long-standing partnership between Emirates and Inmarsat.
As a result, it will enable the airline to provide advanced, high-speed inflight broadband using Inmarsat’s award-winning GX Aviation solution onboard 50 Airbus A350s, which will enter service in 2024. As a result, passengers will be able to stay connected with family and friends, browse the internet, and enjoy social media, all from the comfort of their seats.
The GX network currently comprises five Ka-band satellites and will further improve with the addition of seven more satellite payloads as part of Inmarsat’s fully funded technology roadmap. This includes two Inmarsat-6s, both of which should enter service this year. Three additional satellites in geostationary orbit will follow these launches to add speed, capacity, and resilience. Furthermore, two satellites in a highly elliptical orbit will launch later this year and enter service next year. This will enable Inmarsat’s commercial mobile broadband service for aircraft flying in higher elevations and across the Arctic, such as routes between the Middle East and North America.
William Huot-Marchand, Inmarsat Aviation’s Senior Vice President of Inflight Connectivity, said, “We are glad that Emirates has joined the GX Aviation family. This will be the first fleet with Emirates to come with our highly advanced GX Aviation solution.” Huot-Marchand also added that GX Aviation was in an excellent position “to meet growing passenger expectations around a digital onboard experience, offering high-speed connectivity with uninterrupted global coverage across all flight routes.”
Likewise, Adel al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer, said, “delivering a world-class onboard experience has always been paramount to Emirates, and we understand the importance of being connected during flights. The advanced capabilities are critical, as this will boost capacity across our global network, including aircraft flying over the Arctic for routes between the Middle East and America.”
