CHENGDU,
China and CARLSBAD, Calif.
and BEIJING, Dec. 15,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sichuan Airlines, a Chinese air
carrier, Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications
company, and AeroSat Link Technology Co., Ltd. (AeroSat Link), a
subsidiary of China Satellite Communications Co., Ltd. (China
Satcom), today announced the airline has selected Viasat's
industry-leading In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) technology and
equipment for installation on its Airbus A320 family of aircraft.
When in service, the Viasat terminal installed on the aircraft will
connect to China Satcom's Ka-band satellite network and AeroSat
Link's digital IFC service to provide IFC service to passengers and
crew.
The combination of Viasat's IFC equipment, China Satcom's
satellite network and AeroSat Link's digital services will enable
video streaming, internet browsing, messaging, social media,
business applications and more to each connected device on these
equipped aircraft. Enhancing in-flight connectivity is a key part
of furthering Sichuan Airlines' position as an industry leader in
China and reflects how the carrier
is embracing passenger demand for staying connected in the air,
while continuing to enrich the onboard digital experience.
"Under China's 'smart civil aviation, digital cabin'
construction initiative, Sichuan Airlines has worked with its
partners to create a unique, interconnected air-land business model
of 'satellite + aircraft + operation.' This model is focused on
resource integration, business innovation, technology empowerment,
and operative efficiency. The objective is to improve airline
operation efficiency and customer service quality and create an
enjoyable IFC experience for passengers. With the joint efforts of
Viasat and AeroSat Link, we believe that Sichuan Airlines will
continue to launch aviation internet products with better
experience and better service, so that more passengers can enjoy
faster and more convenient IFC services on Sichuan Airlines," the
airline stated.
China Satcom and ASL jointly stated, "We are very pleased to
partner with Viasat. The combination of its cutting-edge
technology, reliable equipment, and rich experience with China
Satcom's powerful high-throughput Ka-band satellite network enables
us to provide Sichuan Airlines an IFC experience comparable to that
on the ground. We will provide high-speed, reliable, and excellent
network services to more airlines and users."
"Sichuan Airlines continuously seeks ways to enhance the onboard
customer experience, and we are proud to be a part of the airline's
pioneering effort to deliver high-quality, high-speed in-flight
internet within China," said
Don Buchman, VP and GM, Commercial
Aviation, Viasat, Inc. "Today's announcement is an exciting and
meaningful milestone for our relationships with Sichuan Airlines
and AeroSat Link, and we are thrilled to have Sichuan Airlines
leading the way."
China's aviation sector has
been growing very quickly. According to the Civil Aviation
Administration of China (CAAC),
2021 ended with approximately 4,000 active commercial aircraft
operated by Chinese carriers, of which just 842 offered onboard
Wi-Fi, most of which only allowed streaming onboard content. While
China's domestic aviation market
was already the largest in the world in 2020, the IATA estimates
China will support 1.6 billion
annual passengers in 2037 (up from 0.6 billion in 2018), the vast
majority of whom will board with internet-enabled Personal
Electronic Devices (PEDs).
Viasat, China Satcom and AeroSat Link will each maintain its own
intellectual property and will operate its equipment using a
multi-layered approach to network services.
About Sichuan Airlines
Sichuan Airlines Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Chengdu, home of the panda. The airline's
"Panda Route" aims to connect the entire world. As one of the most
distinctive airlines in China,
Sichuan Airlines takes safety as its core brand value and has been
flying safely for 34 years. It now operates China's largest all-airbus fleet with over 180
aircraft spanning 460 domestic and international routes. Sichuan
Airlines also provides global passengers with air services
containing "Chinese elements with a Sichuan flavor," and the company's brand value
exceeds 60 billion. With the continuous advancement of Sichuan
Airlines' strategy of 'connecting North, South, East, and West with
internet from the mountains to the sea,' there are 13 branches and
operation bases outside the Chengdu headquarters. By establishing an
efficient flight wave structure, Sichuan Airlines is committed to
building a transit network with Chengdu as the core that radiates across
Europe, Oceania, North America, Africa, Southeast
Asia, and Northeast Asia,
and developing the "Panda Route" with diversification and high
quality while contributing to local economies.
About China Satcom
China Satcom is a certified satellite operator endowed with an
abundance of high-quality resources and has a first-class national
team specializing in emergency communications. By making satellite
communications and broadcasting services accessible to more people,
China Satcom has long been committed to building a
space-terrestrial integrated satellite communications system,
providing reliable and secure satellite communications solutions to
customers in media, business and government.
About AeroSat Link
AeroSat Link, a subsidiary of China Satellite Communications
Co., Ltd., specializes in the in-flight connectivity (IFC)
business. With the mission of creating a better digital life in the
air, AeroSat Link takes full advantage of space-ground integrated
satellite communication resources to build high-quality, safe and
reliable high-throughput satellite aviation internet connectivity
and comprehensive information service platforms covering the entire
world. The company innovates aviation internet application services
to provide an enriching journey for passengers in the air, empower
airline operation management, promote the formation of the aviation
internet service ecosystem, and build itself into a comprehensive,
world-leading aviation internet information service operator.
About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone
and everything in the world can be connected. For more than 36
years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses,
governments and militaries around the world communicate. Today, the
Company is developing the ultimate global communications network to
power high-quality, secure, affordable, fast connections to impact
people's lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at
sea. To learn more about Viasat, visit: www.viasat.com, go
to Viasat's Corporate Blog, or follow the Company on social
media
at: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.
Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are
subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of
1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking
statements include statements about the use of the Ka-band
ChinaSat-16 satellite system; the features and benefits of the IFC
experience to Sichuan Airlines and users, and our ability to
provide high-speed, reliable and excellent network services to more
airlines and users; the introduction by Sichuan airlines of new aviation internet
products and the features and benefits of those products; and the
contributions of Viasat, China Satcom and AeroSat Link to the
provision of IFC services. Readers are cautioned that actual
results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed
in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ include: risks associated with the construction,
launch and operation of satellites, including the effect of any
anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite
performance, contractual problems, product defects, manufacturing
issues or delays, regulatory issues, changes in relationships with,
or the financial condition of, key suppliers, and technologies that
do not perform according to expectations; technologies not being
developed according to anticipated schedules, or that do not
perform according to expectations, and increased competition and
other factors affecting the aviation sector generally. In addition,
please refer to the risk factors contained in Viasat's SEC filings
available at www.sec.gov, including Viasat's most recent Annual
Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made.
Viasat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements for any reason.
Copyright © 2022 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the
Viasat logo and the Viasat signal are registered trademarks of
Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used
for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their
respective owners.
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SOURCE Viasat, Inc.