Regional aircraft manufacturer ATR is introducing Starlink high-speed internet connectivity on board its aircraft.
Successful test flights have been carried out on ATR’s 72-600 test aircraft in the past months and the solution has now been certified by EASA, with Air New Zealand planned to be the launch customer on board its domestic flights from 2025.
PMV Engineering developed the necessary modifications for the certification of the Starlink aeroterminal on ATR aircraft, available as a retrofit option on ATR 72-500 and 72-600 for all ATR operators through a Supplemental Type Certificate.
Nikhil Ravishankar, Chief Digital Officer at Air New Zealand, said: “We’re always looking at how new and innovative technology can deliver improved customer experiences and with the world’s largest satellite constellation, exploring in-motion connectivity on our aircraft with Starlink was a no brainer. Whether travelling for work or leisure, we know maintaining seamless internet connectivity is something that will transform the travel experience for customers.
“We can’t wait to bring connectivity to our domestic flights. Collaborating with ATR and the PMV Engineering team has been fantastic, and their expertise has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life.”