Inmarsat signs MoU to appoint Honeywell as distribution partner for new aviation safety communications service

Inmarsat the world’s leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, today announced its intention to appoint Honeywell Aerospace as a global distribution partner for its next generation SwiftBroadband-Safety aviation service.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the two companies, with Honeywell set to provide commercial airlines and business aviation operators throughout the world with SwiftBroadband-Safety, an advanced new service from Inmarsat that will transform cockpit and aircraft operations through the use of secure broadband connectivity.

SwiftBroadband-Safety utilises secure IP-based broadband connectivity that far exceeds the capabilities of other alternatives in the market and represents a paradigm shift in the advancement of aviation safety services. The ‘always on and always secure’ solution enables a range of breakthrough aviation applications, including flight data streaming (‘Black Box in the Cloud’) and real-time Electronic Flight Bag applications, such as networked graphical weather.

It also enables air traffic management modernisation programmes throughout the world and fulfils the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s Global Aeronautical Distress Safety System (GADSS), including global flight tracking, by offering reliable and secure satellite surveillance and communications (FANS/ACARS).

SwiftBroadband-Safety hardware is available for initial retrofit installation on existing aircraft today and will become a standard option on new aircraft deliveries from 2018. The service builds on Inmarsat’s reputation as a provider of high-quality voice and data service to 95% of the world’s trans-oceanic aircraft fleet.

Inmarsat’s MoU with Honeywell marks the latest expansion of a successful partnership between both companies. Honeywell currently works with Value Added Resellers to provide the business aviation market with Inmarsat’s Classic Aero safety services and will now be able to provide migration options for existing customers to SwiftBroadband-Safety.

It also provides the business aviation market with access to Inmarsat’s current in-flight broadband service for private jet passengers, SwiftBroadband, and its next generation offering, JetConneX. In addition, Honeywell’s JetWave system is the exclusive hardware that connects to Inmarsat’s new GX for Aviation Ka-band broadband solution for passengers.

Frederik van Essen, Inmarsat Aviation’s Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, said: “Honeywell is a formidable powerhouse in both the commercial and business aviation markets, and an innovator in in-flight safety equipment that is embracing the exciting new possibilities that cockpit IP services offer. We are delighted to build on our successful partnership and look forward to welcoming them as a distribution partner for SwiftBroadband-Safety, an advanced new service that enables commercial airlines and business aviation operators to fly with greater efficiency, reliability and capacity at a lower cost.

“The world’s aircraft fleet is expected to double by 2035, and substantial advancements in technology are introducing exciting new possibilities when it comes to safety and navigation. SwiftBroadband-Safety will deliver significant benefits for both the commercial airline and business aviation markets. The higher levels of efficiency, reliability and increased capacity provided by SwiftBroadband-Safety will also optimise cost control for airlines, while business aviation users utilise its applications to increase passenger comfort and maximise efficiency.”

John Peterson, Director of Marketing and Product Management at Honeywell Aerospace, said: “Honeywell has a long history of working with Inmarsat to provide connectivity solutions from the cockpit to the cabin for air transport and business aviation. SwiftBroadband-Safety is a great addition to Honeywell’s GoDirect services portfolio as we anticipate strong demand in safety services from commercial airline and business aviation markets across the world.”