GDC Technics is to provide Honeywell’s JetWave satellite communications system for in-service Boeing and Airbus business and commercial aircraft under an agreement signed here in Dubai on Sunday. JetWave, which is due to be available from the second half of 2015, is Honeywell’s satellite connectivity hardware that exclusively supports Inmarsat’s new Jet Connex (JX) WiFi service, which promise consistent, high-speed inflight internet service for business aircraft worldwide.

San Antonio, Texas-based GDC Technics (Stand P5) will develop supplemental type certificates (STCs) for in-service Boeing and Airbus aircraft, including Boeing Business Jets (BBJs) and Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJs), enabling them to be retrofitted with the JetWave equipment. It will offer STCs for Airbus A319, A330 and A340 aircraft as well as the Boeing 737, 747, 777 and 787. The company will also market the STCs to other completions centers.

“High speed, consistent in-flight WiFi over land and sea is a technology game-changer for the industry. Through this agreement with Honeywell, bizliners and commercial air transport aircraft around the world will soon be able to access Inmarsat’s JX service,” said Mohammed Alzeer, general partner, GDC Technics. “In today’s always-on society the ability to stay connected while in the air is fast becoming an expectation rather than a nice-to-have, making the JetWave hardware from Honeywell and JX service from Inmarsat an important differentiator for operators.”

“Through this agreement with GDC Technics, Boeing and Airbus operators will soon be able to easily upgrade their aircraft with one of the most advanced and capable in-flight connectivity systems on the market,” said Mike Beazley, vice president Aftermarket Sales, Business and General Aviation, Honeywell Aerospace. “Jet Connex will bring high speed, consistent global in-flight internet connectivity via WiFi to the cockpit and cabin and we expect to see significant demand for the technology, particularly for long haul commercial and business planes flying out of the Middle East.”

In May, Mohammed Alzeer’s MAZ Aviation group, which last year acquired the former Gore Design Completions business and then renamed it GDC Technics, launched a partnership with Satcom1 to develop faster satellite communications systems for the ACJ and BBJ family. According to the partnership agreement, the system will be based on Ka- and Ku- band solutions and will offer greater bandwidth for airborne communications. Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband and its safety services features will be used for cockpit communications needs.