OnAir Selected by Inmarsat as Global Xpress Distribution Partner

GENEVA, November 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

OnAir will be an Inmarsat Distribution Partner for Global Xpress™, the first global Ka-band network to provide inflight broadband connectivity for the aeronautical market.  

OnAir currently uses Inmarsat SwiftBroadband (SBB) to provide the connectivity for Mobile OnAir and Internet OnAir, and has been working with Inmarsat over a period of time on a seamless upgrade path from SBB to GX.

"We are delighted to be working with Inmarsat to bring passengers the next generation of inflight connectivity," said Ian Dawkins, CEO of OnAir. "That passengers want inflight connectivity is beyond doubt. The provision of a consistent global service is particularly important for our customers, so that they know exactly what to expect, wherever and whenever they fly."

Global Xpress will operate in the Ka-band, and thus will provide users with significantly higher throughput than other satellite solutions, including the current generation technology based on Ku-band.  This improved performance, combined with superior economics for both services and equipment and complete coverage of air routes, position Global Xpress to support broad introduction of connectivity services to passengers and airlines on a sustainable basis across their entire fleets.

 "We have a very strong history with OnAir," said Leo Mondale, Managing Director of Inmarsat GX. "OnAir was appointed our first SwiftBroadband Distribution Partner back in 2006, and in 2009 was given an award for being the greatest contributor to SBB growth. OnAir has demonstrated its ability to integrate Inmarsat technology and services into attractive solutions for the aviation market, and we're delighted to extend the relationship to include Global Xpress's broadband services. The partnership with OnAir represents another major step toward realizing the next generation in aviation connectivity, which we'll begin offering commercially in 2013."

This agreement enables OnAir, a leading provider global SBB services for commercial airlines, governmental and business aircraft, to remain at the forefront of the sector, while ensuring that the business becomes the benchmark for industry solutions.

OnAir is planning to offer Global Xpress services to its customers starting in 2013.

About OnAir

OnAir provides industry-leading, on-board connectivity solutions that enable passengers to stay connected while they travel, and airlines and shipping lines to differentiate themselves through offering distinct services to customers. Present aboard airlines on five continents, OnAir provides the only air-travel industry sponsored solution for commercial airlines, private and corporate jets, Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and for long and short-haul flights. OnAir is

the first provider of services based on SwiftBroadband, the latest high-bandwidth satellite technology from Inmarsat, which offers GSM, Mobile Data and Internet. 

OnAir was incorporated in February 2005 and is owned by SITA, the leading IT solutions provider to the air transport world and Airbus, the leading aircraft manufacturer. OnAir is a member of the GSM Association and an Inmarsat Distribution Partner for SwiftBroadband services.

In September 2011, Oman Air won the APEX Best Inflight Connectivity and Communications Award for its OnAir connectivity services.

Today OnAir has 37 customers, of which 20 are currently in service, including 12 airlines. The company also has regulatory approvals from 77 countries and roaming agreements covering more than 2.2 billion GSM subscribers.

More information about OnAir is available at http://www.onair.aero  

About Inmarsat

Inmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT) is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services.  Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air.  The company's services are delivered through a global network of more than 400 distribution partners and service providers operating in 100 countries.  For the year ended 31 December 2010, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$1,171.6 million (2009: US$1,038.1 million) with an EBITDA of US$696.1 million (2009: US$594.2 million).  For more information, please visit http://www.inmarsat.com.