Connectivity
Intelsat adds more LEO/GEO capacity with Eutelsat/OneWeb deal
Intelsat will expand its partnership with Eutelsat and OneWeb, securing additional capacity for its mobile connectivity solutions over Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific.
ThinKom scores Air Force contract for advanced ground station antenna array
More complex satellite constellations necessitate more capable antenna solutions on aircraft and at ground stations. ThinKom, long a provider of antenna hardware for mobile connectivity, now has a multi-million dollar deal to deliver a modern gateway kit to the US Air Force's R&D arm.
Austrian adds FlyNet app for WiFi access
Passengers on Austrian Airlines now have a new option to pay for inflight internet access. The carrier integrated the FlyNet® App, developed by Deutsche Telekom, as part of its passenger experience offering.
Cabin Design
Luxair powers up with Burrana USB ports
Luxair's 737-800s are getting power ports on board. The carrier selected Burrana to deliver USB-A jacks nose-to-tail as part of a cabin upgrade across the type.
Other Industry News
FAA clears Boeing to resume deliveries of 787 jets
Boeing can resume delivering 787 Dreamliner planes as soon as next week after resolving an issue that led federal regulators to halt deliveries last month.
Riyadh Air to launch, boosted by Saudi government investment
Get ready for another global airline in Saudi Arabia. The country's Public Investment Fund (PIF) officially launched Riyadh Air on Sunday, aiming to "leverage Saudi Arabia’s strategic geographic location between the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe, enabling Riyadh to become a gateway to the world and a global destination for transportation, trade, and tourism."
SAF sniffing: emissions research with Airbus and DLR | Flightradar24 Blog
Sustainable aviation fuel has the possibility to lower lifecycle emissions by up to 80% overall, but there is still much to learn about the emissions effects of using SAF in modern jet aircraft. That’s what Airbus and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) are studying this week with their VOLCAN test flights.
JetBlue hit with DOJ, DOT objections to Spirit buyout
Regulatory approval has been a major concern since the day Spirit Airlines became a takeover target a year ago. Now, seven months after JetBlue won the bidding battle, it must convince US regulators – or a judge – that consolidation is good for consumers. And the Department of Justice will not make that an easy task.
Northern Pacific finally set to fly, just not across the Pacific yet
Northern Pacific will take to the skies in June. The carrier's first route is now on sale, and it is not what anyone expected.