Regional aircraft manufacturer, ATR, can now offer Starlink high-speed inflight connectivity onboard its aircraft. Following successful test flights carried out on ATR’s 72-600 test aircraft in recent months, the system has been certified by EASA. Air New Zealand, a long-standing partner of ATR, will be the launch customer for the service, which will be available on its domestic flights later this year.
Under the agreement, PMV Engineering has developed the necessary modifications for the certification of the Starlink aeroterminal on ATR aircraft. The aeroterminal is now available as a retrofit option on the ATR 72-500 and –600 models for all ATR operators through a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC).
Engineered by SpaceX, Starlink uses a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to deliver a low-latency broadband internet service capable of supporting content streaming, online gaming, video calls and more.
“Starlink opens up a new era for ATR, offering unparalleled levels of comfort and passenger experience in the regional market,” commented Daniel Cuchet, senior vice president of engineering at ATR.
In addition to passenger benefits, the Starlink system will also allow pilots to connect to aviation weather services, enhancing flight safety through more informed decision-making. Moreover, the compact size of the antenna makes it suited to the ATR platform in terms of aerodynamics.
You can see how the STC and test process worked here.
With a fully connected cabin that can already integrate USB sockets in all seats, in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems, high-speed internet, and a range of high-end cabin solutions (the ATR HighLine collection), ATR expects strong interest from airlines worldwide, including in markets such as Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the United States, where demand for in-flight connectivity is growing rapidly.
Nikhil Ravishankar, chief digital officer at Air New Zealand, said of the Starlink service: “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.”
