The airline may be small, with just the one A330 (a three-class configuration, with business class, premium economy and economy), but it was keen to offer connectivity in response to a growing demand for connectivity from Africa’s young population for the service, as well as to be in line with a general international trend for inflight wi-fi. According to SITAONAIR, Air Senegal’s inflight connectivity offering comes at a crucial moment for economic growth. SITA Air Transport IT Insights figures show that 90% of the world’s airlines plan to have major wireless inflight connectivity programs in place for enhanced passenger experience by 2021, indicating a prominent shift towards global connectivity as standard.
The deal will see SITAONAIR is activate its Mobile ONAIR and Internet ONAIR inflight connectivity solutions on Air Senegal’s A330neo, via Link ONAIR over Inmarsat’s GX Aviation network. The servie will be used on Air Senegal’s routes connecting West Africa with Europe – primarily routes between Dakar and Paris.
David Lavorel, CEO of SITAONAIR stated, “We are pleased to support and pioneer the inflight connectivity landscape, in what is a growing innovation area in Africa. SITAONAIR’s knowledge and expertise, both in establishing aircraft connectivity in burgeoning markets and in working alongside African telecommunications organizations and governments, makes us perfectly placed to enable all of Africa’s airlines to realize their connectivity ambitions. Our telecommunications experts have been at the heart of the significant work done with regulators and we look forward to advancing further for the benefit of the region.”
