Gogo Business Aviation’s first 2Ku satellite communications system for a business aviation customer has been installed in an ACJ319 operated by Europe’s K5 Aviation. Fokker Services performed the systems integration, EASA supplemental type certificate and installation at its facilities in Hoogerheide, The Netherlands.

The dual-antenna 2Ku system requires a larger aircraft and is thus suited for bizliners. Gogo has already installed more than 170 2Ku systems for eight airlines, and 14 airlines operating more than 1,600 aircraft have placed 2Ku orders. “The 2Ku era has begun in business aviation,” said Gogo Business Aviation general manager Sergio Aguirre.

The 2Ku satcom can deliver peak antenna speeds of more than 70 Mbps, according to Gogo, “with four times the surface area of conventional aero antennas.” Gogo is developing speedier versions of 2Ku using a new modem design that will work with next-generation satellites, and this “has the capacity to deliver peak speeds of 200+ Mbps to the aircraft,” the company said.