Aero-Dienst, which provides business aviation and air ambulance services, has signed a dealer agreement with Viasat. The move expands Aero-Dienst’s inflight connectivity (IFC) services by adding Viasat’s high-speed IFC options for mid- and large-cabin business jets.
Aero-Dienst said its many years of expertise in IFC systems was a key factor leading to the agreement. It authorises Aero-Dienst to provide consultation services for Viasat IFC systems, conduct installations, bring the systems online and operate them. It includes Viasat’s Ka-band service, as well as upgrades from Ku-band to Ka-band.
Viasat’s Ka-band connectivity is designed to enable all passengers to perform the same activities on board as they do on the ground, including video calls, using email and VPNs, streaming TV and videos, and listening to music.
“This cooperation allows us to support our Bombardier Challenger, Bombardier Global and Dassault Falcon customers even better than before in all aspects of inflight connectivity, especially as demand for streaming video skyrockets,” said Daniel Pedreiro Correia, strategic customer relations manager at Aero-Dienst. “Viasat’s Ka-band system is the most powerful connectivity product for these platforms and provides high-speed data rates with low setup and service costs and very flexible prices.”
“With no speed limits and with a growing global satellite network, we provide our customers with an onboard system that can match connectivity in the office or at home, making for the best possible user experience both for business and leisure users,” Correia added.
“Aero-Dienst excels at providing solutions for business aviation, so we’re excited that both their MRO and managed fleet customers have the ability to access not only high-speed wi-fi at any stage of a flight, but consistent and reliable wi-fi across a broad coverage area,” said Claudio D’Amico, Viasat business area director. “Viasat continues to increase its best-in-class wi-fi performance, and with more capacity coming online through our next-generation satellites, the future of fast connectivity is bright.”
Aero-Dienst has registered increased demand for faster connectivity rates to support data-intensive applications in flight through a marked rise in the number of customers inquiring about Ka-band installation. The first aircraft that Aero-Dienst will equip with Viasat’s Ka-band IFC system will be a Challenger. Aero-Dienst also maintains dealer agreements with various avionics manufacturers.
In addition to its headquarters in Nuremberg (Germany), Aero-Dienst also operates stations in Vienna and Klagenfurt (Austria) and a maintenance station in Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich (Germany). Its component shop in Landsberg am Lech (Germany) provides repairs for maintenance operators in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
