Integrated satellite, terrestrial network and in-flight connectivity provider Intelsat has announced its connectivity service will be installed in LATAM Airlines’ fleet of Airbus narrowbody aircraft – including A320ceo and A320neo variants based in Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia.
According to Intelsat, the installations will include up to 160 aircraft and will take three years to complete. It expects to install the Intelsat 2Ku system by Airbus on approximately 70 new-delivery aircraft at its manufacturing sites in the US and Europe. Once the installations are finished, the entire fleet of LATAM narrowbody aircraft will be served by Intelsat’s IFC service.
LATAM’s Vice President of Clients, Paulo Miranda, said: “We have worked closely with Intelsat to deliver the best connectivity experience on our aircraft based in Brazil, but we know our customers in Spanish-speaking markets want the same onboard experience. Today’s announcement is the first step on that journey, as we aim to deliver the best connectivity service experience in the region using Intelsat’s 2Ku system.”
Dave Bijur, Senior Vice President of Commercial for Intelsat Commercial Aviation, said: “At Intelsat, our mission is to provide quality, reliable connectivity for work and entertainment which is essential for airline partners and passengers alike. LATAM is an important customer to us and we look forward to providing their passengers across South America with the exceptional customer service not just today and tomorrow but for decades to come.”
