Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air announced the signing of a strategic partnership with Neo Space Group to equip its fleet of Airbus A321 narrowbody aircraft with the NSG Skywaves in-flight connectivity system.
Under the agreement, the aircraft will be equipped with a connectivity system that provides access to the internet and digital services during flights, including browsing, messaging, streaming, and support for practical onboard applications, according to a press release published on Riyadh Air’s website.
Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer of Riyadh Air, said the company aims to integrate advanced connectivity technologies into its digital travel experience. He added that the first Airbus A321 aircraft are scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2026, with free high-speed connectivity to be provided to members of the airline’s Sfeer loyalty program.
For his part, Martin Blanken, Chief Executive Officer of Neo Space Group, said the partnership reflects the group’s commitment to developing advanced connectivity solutions for the aviation sector in the Kingdom and supporting the digital transformation of the passenger experience.
Riyadh Air will offer connectivity speeds of up to 300 Mbps onboard its A321 aircraft, using the NSG Skywaves system and HBC+ equipment fitted with a ThinKom Ka2517 antenna, which is currently installed on more than 1,700 aircraft worldwide.
The technology is based on SES’s Open Orbits network, which combines Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites to provide stable global coverage and low-latency connectivity services.
This collaboration is part of Riyadh Air’s efforts to strengthen the digital infrastructure of its fleet and enhance the onboard connectivity experience, in line with the Kingdom’s aviation sector development goals and Saudi Vision 2030.
To view the announcement on Riyadh Air’s website, click here.
