Abra Group, the parent company of Avianca and GOL, is planning to fit 100 of its aircraft, both Airbus and Boeing, with inflight connectivity service provided by Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES.
In order to do so, Abra Group and SES will install a new electronically steered array (ESA) antenna on top of the aircraft.
This new generation antenna, which protrudes only seven centimeters from the fuselage, provides multi-orbit connectivity, as it is capable of linking to both geostationary (GEO) and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide reliable broadband connectivity.
The system is already operational on 10 of Avianca’s Airbus A320 aircraft, with the remainder of the fleet slated for installation over the coming years.
Enrique Villasenor, SES Vice President of Global Airline Partnerships stated that with this system, Abra Group will be able to provide its passengers with “the same fast and dependable internet access passengers enjoy at home no matter where or when they fly.”
This investment is in line with the competitive dynamics in Abra Group’s core markets in Latin America. Its main competitor in the region, LATAM Airlines, already provides internet connectivity onboard most of its narrowbody fleet, and is currently in the process of rolling out the service across its widebody fleet.