Emboldened by its success in launching the Gogo passenger connectivity service with American Airlines and Virgin America this year, Aircell says it expects total commitments to the service to top 2,000 airliners by the end of 2009.
Delta Air Lines is expected to launch the service before the end of this month, according to the Colorado-based air-to-ground service provider, with Air Canada to follow next spring. In addition, says Aircell, it is either in advanced negotiations with or contracted to most of the other major US carriers, and is talking to a number of international airlines as well.
The company is also securing network partners in Canada and Mexico and evaluating ways to offer Gogo on intercontinental flights. Any such solution would entail co-operation with either Inmarsat, with its soon to be global SwiftBroadband L-band service, or emerging Ku-band providers like Panasonic or Row 44.
“Our customers are already seeing a migration of passengers from competitors who do not offer anything like our service,” says chief executive Jack Blumenstein. “A strong and growing response from both business and leisure travellers is showing that $9.95 to $12.95 is a small price to pay for the ability to stay connected and take control over how you spend your time inflight.”
Aircell plans next year to expand both its network and the Gogo offering, adding multimedia applications such as games, television, films and music. The expansion will generate ancillary revenues for the airlines, Aircell says, while bringing passengers a range of entertainment options.
The DoD has changed its structures and is been increasing efforts to facilitate access to loans by companies interested in working with artificial intelligence, advanced materials and semiconductors, biotechnology and quantum science.
India has approved millions of dollars in new military purchases, most of which will go to public sector companies.
The main obstacles to overcoming risks in the region are a lack of a strong cybersecurity culture and inadequate funds to invest in this domain given a widespread Chinese presence in the region.
MBDA is adapting to supply chain pressures as the Russian invasion of Ukraine leads to increased demand for armaments.
Despite the additional funding promised this week, the UK armed forces still look set to face cutbacks, and maintaining international commitments to AUKUS and GCAP may limit the options for other programmes.
This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, senior naval reporter Harry Lye and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann chat with Professor John Louth.
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