30May
Saudi Arabian Airlines taps Taqnia Space to provide in-flight connectivity
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In 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 the TAQNIA Space company exclusively to provide Saudia’s fleet with broadband Internet access, voice calling, and live-TV services.
“This 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 privatization, which include the modernization and development of the fleet and provide the latest in-flight connectivity and entertainment services that meets Saudia passengers’ expectations. Implementation of the new inflight connectivity services will start by mid of 2017,” said the Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines, Saleh Bin Nasser Al-Jasser.
“The partnership with Saudia comes as a part of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030. Broadband services to be provided under this partnership will be the first of its kind in the MENA region and will be covering all Saudia flights, long-haul and domestic, ”said the CEO of TAQNIA Space company, Abdullah Al-Osaimi.
Al-Osaimi highlighted the rapid technological developments the telecom market has witnessed in the mobile SATCOM industry, especially in aeronautical, railway, and maritime services applications.
“The near future will witness many similar projects and partnerships that TAQNIA Space will have with regional and international commercial and private airlines,” said Mr. Abdullah Alosaimi, Chief Executive Officer of TAQNIA Space Company.