Kuwait Airways has become the tenth Middle East customer to choose OnAir as its connectivity provider, for 12 new aircraft as part of its privatisation and complete fleet upgrade. The airline has ordered five A330s and seven A320s, all of which will be line-fitted with Airbus’ ALNAv2 network architecture, which does not require any additional antennae, as well as Mobile OnAir and Internet OnAir. The first A320 and first A330 will be delivered in December 2014 and May 2015, respectively.
OnAir connectivity uses Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband global network. Alongside its widespread regulatory coverage, this means OnAir can provide Kuwait Airways’ passengers the same level of service on all of KAC’s network. According to OnAir, the SwiftBroadband solution has a clear deployment path to GX Aviation, Inmarsat’s imminent high-speed network.
“OnAir was the right offering for us,” said Rasha Al-Roumi, chairperson of Kuwait Airways. “On top of the proven SwiftBroadband service, which is available line fit on our new aircraft now, OnAir has GX Aviation capability waiting in the wings. We can offer passengers the connectivity they expect from a leading airline, as well as formulate a plan for the easy transfer to GX Aviation when it is available.”
