Viasat wins Airshare IFC contract
August 17, 2022
By Chris Forrester
Viasat has won a contract to supply new aircraft from Airshare’s fractional ownership fleet with its Ka-band In-Flight Connectivity and broadband access.
Airshare’s new fleet includes aircraft from Bombardier including their Challenger 350 and upcoming Challenger 3500 versions.
Viasat says that these new installations will allow passengers and crew to access high-speed connectivity solutions during all phases of flight, including taxi, take-off and landing. Viasat’s high speed connectivity will enable Airshare passengers to enjoy the same connected services in the air as they do on the ground, including high-quality video streaming, video conferencing, access to corporate VPN, and more. Viasat’s satellite capacity will enable all devices onboard to stream simultaneously, even in dense geographical areas with heavy aviation traffic.
The first installation on an Airshare Challenger 350 was completed in July 2022, with additional installations occurring over the second half of this year.
“Excellent connectivity is no longer simply a nice-to-have amenity while in-flight,” said John Owen, President/CEO of Airshare. “Airshare’s best-in-class service demands a reliable connectivity solution that provides fast speeds and a consistent connection from takeoff to touchdown. Our owners want to stay productive, stream video, and otherwise stay in touch with what’s happening on the ground. Choosing Viasat for our new deliveries was an important step as Airshare enters our next phase of growth.”
Founded in 2000, and based in Kansas, Airshare operates a fleet of super-midsize and light jets within their fractional and EMBARK programmes. Airshare provides whole aircraft management and charter services nationwide, while also providing comprehensive maintenance services for third-party aircraft.