Ethiopian Airways chooses Airbus’ HBCplus for its 4 new A350-1000s

Ethiopian Airline has revealed that it’ll equip its 4 new A350-1000s with Airbus’ built-in satellite tv for pc connectivity answer: HBCplus. 

With the Airbus’ HBCplus programme, Ethiopian Airways will profit from a extra streamlined, environment friendly order course of that
will guarantee its newest plane meet the quickly rising passenger demand to remain linked whereas
flying.

Relating to the brand new service, Ethiopian Airways Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew mentioned, “As we
endeavour to take care of our place as Africa’s primary and among the many main airways globally,
we all know one of many key success components is giving our passengers the very best onboard
expertise. Connectivity is a vital a part of our providers and merchandise; and bringing Inmarsat’s bestin-class GX Aviation service to our passengers, as a part of Airbus’ HBCplus programme, is a serious
step ahead.

We need to give our passengers the chance to stream, surf, and chat from
1000’s of toes within the air, irrespective of the place their route or vacation spot is. Inmarsat’s seamless, really
international inflight connectivity can be very important to ship this. We look ahead to a really profitable
partnership with Inmarsat and Airbus, now and within the years to come back,” he added.

Inmarsat’s newest Passenger Expertise Survey came upon that 97% of respondents use their private
units on flights for leisure, equivalent to streaming motion pictures and TV exhibits, maintaining with
work, and to remain in contact with household and associates. As well as, 82% of passengers are extra seemingly
to rebook with an airline that gives high quality inflight Wi-Fi.

The primary of Ethiopian Airways’ Airbus A350-1000 plane is about to be delivered within the Third Quarter
(Q3) of 2024, with passengers capable of profit from GX Aviation’s world-class connectivity
expertise. This helps the airline’s Imaginative and prescient 2035 Technique which focuses on increasing its fleets,
enhancing its passenger expertise and sustaining its main place within the airline trade.

Niels Steenstrup, President, Inmarsat Aviation, mentioned: “We had been chosen as the primary managed
providers supplier (MSP) for the Airbus HBCplus programme final 12 months, with a scope that features
connectivity, digital portal providers and ISP functionality. The truth that now we have already been chosen
by two main airways is a superb achievement and we’re enthusiastic about delivering our award successful GX Aviation inflight broadband to Ethiopian Airways’ passengers ranging from subsequent 12 months.It will allow them to stream movies, browse the web, store on-line, get pleasure from social media and extra, all from the consolation of their seats and utilizing their private units.”

Andre Schneider, Airbus VP Cabin and Cargo Programme mentioned: “We’re delighted that Ethiopian
Airways has chosen our agnostic and versatile high-bandwidth connectivity answer – HBCplus.
That is additional endorsement from our valued airline prospects of the boldness they place in
Airbus to plot and combine enhanced inflight capabilities for his or her passengers to expertise.
Airspace Hyperlink HBCplus gives satcom primarily based off-board connectivity for the Airspace Hyperlink open
ecosystem, accessible each in linefit and retrofit. Initially encompassing Ka-band providers, it’ll
allow the airline to connect with a alternative of Managed Service Suppliers (MSPs), on this case with
Inmarsat – through a brand new licensed terminal and antenna constructed as a part of the plane.”

Powered by Inmarsat’s International Xpress satellite tv for pc community, GX Aviation delivers world-class
connectivity on each plane, on any route, and for each passenger. Airline prospects may even
profit from seven extra Inmarsat satellite tv for pc payloads getting into service by 2025, growing its Kaband community fleet to 12.
This consists of two Inmarsat-6s, each of which have already launched, adopted by two payloads in
extremely elliptical orbit, enabling the world’s solely business cell broadband service for flights in
greater latitudes and throughout the Arctic. This delivers uninterrupted connectivity on high-elevation
routes. Three extra satellites will then launch in geostationary orbit, including additional velocity,
capability, and resilience.

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