Neo Space Group, in cooperation with Saudia, has announced the activation of the "NSG Skywaves" high-speed inflight internet service, line-fit during manufacturing for the first time, on board the first Airbus A321XLR aircraft to enter service in Saudia's fleet.
The activation is a new step in the partnership between Saudia and Neo Space Group and reflects the integration between the Kingdom's aviation and space sectors, as part of the targets of Saudi Vision 2030 and the digital transformation of aviation services, according to a post by the Saudi Press Agency.
The service is based on the NSG Skywaves platform, using the multi-orbit SES Open Orbits network, which combines the capabilities of satellites in geostationary and medium Earth orbits to provide reliable, low-latency air connectivity across international flight routes.
Recent operational tests carried out by Neo Space Group's engineering and operations teams achieved connection speeds of up to 200 megabits per second per aircraft, supporting services such as video streaming, instant messaging, web browsing and data-heavy applications.
The activation reflects the successful integration of Airbus's HBCplus solution into the aircraft during manufacturing, through cooperation between Neo Space Group, Saudia, Airbus, SES and a number of industry partners, to provide an integrated connectivity experience from the moment the aircraft enters service.
Rossen Dimitrov, Chief Guest Experience Officer at Saudia, said connectivity services have become an essential part of the modern travel experience, adding that providing high-speed internet on the new A321XLR aircraft is one of the pillars of Saudia's new experience.
He noted that the service allows travelers to stay connected and enjoy more advanced digital entertainment options, including Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services offering live TV channels and real-time content on board.
For his part, Tarek Al Metwally, Executive Vice President of Aviation at Neo Space Group, said the activation of NSG Skywaves on Saudia's first Airbus A321XLR reflects the growing intersection between the aviation, space and digital infrastructure sectors.
He noted that the service shows how sovereign space capabilities can be turned into operational services that support airline performance and improve the connectivity experience for travelers.
The achievement is part of Neo Space Group's air connectivity strategy, with the NSG Skywaves platform expanding across the fleets of regional and international airlines to meet the requirements of connected aircraft and future digital travel experiences.
To view the post on the Saudi Press Agency website, click here.
