Lufthansa Technik AG has modified the first VIP Airbus A340 to receive Ka-band satellite communication technology. Ka-band is claimed to provide the fastest in-air internet connection currently available on the market. Lufthansa Technik is the first MRO company in Europe to receive the STC from EASA to install Ka-band antenna systems on an A340. The company also holds such STCs for the A319 and A320 series. In addition, Lufthansa Technik expects to receive similar STCs for Boeing's 737-based BBJs and Airbus's A330 by year-end.

"Over the past months our engineers and avionics specialists have done a great job to get the approvals from the authorities for different aircraft types of both VIP and commercial customers,” said Walter Heerdt, senior v-p of VIP and special-mission aircraft services.