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Saudia selects TAQNIA Space for inflight connectivity

The new partnership with TAQNIA Space comes as part of the transformation program initiatives (2020) which is being implemented in Saudi Arabian Airlines and all its companies arising from privatisation

saudi_arabian_airlines_airbus_a300_karakasIn the presence of His Highness Prince Dr. Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed Al Saud, President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Technology Development and Investment Company (TAQNIA), and His Excellency Mr. Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Minister of Transport and President of General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saudi Arabian Airlines has signed a strategic partnership with TAQNIA Space company exclusively to provide Saudia’s fleets with Broadband Internet access, voice calling and live-TV services.

 

“The new partnership with TAQNIA Space comes as part of the transformation program initiatives (2020) which is being implemented in Saudi Arabian Airlines and all its companies arising from privatisation, which include the modernisation and development of the fleet and provide the latest inflight connectivity and entertainment services that meets Saudia passengers’ expectations. Implementation of the new inflight connectivity services will start by mid of 2017,” said His Excellency the Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines, Engineer Saleh Bin Nasser Al-Jasser.

  

“The partnership with Saudia comes as a part of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030. Broadband service to be provided under this partnership will be the first of its kind in MENA region and will be covering all Saudia flights, long-haul and domestic,” said His Excellency the CEO of TAQNIA Space company, Engineer Abdullah Al-Osaimi. 

 

Al-Osaimi highlighted the rapid technology developments that telecom market witnessed in Mobile SATCOM industry especially in the aeronautical, railways and maritime service applications. “Near future will witness many similar projects and partnerships that TAQNIA Space will have with regional and international commercial & private airlines,” said Al-Osaimi.