In an increasingly unpredictable world how does one square the need for certainty? It’s a dilemma business aviation recognises only too well. For Principals the idea that predictability is a luxury has never been more relevant.

This is something Inmarsat appreciates – delivering high-speed, predictable inflight connectivity solutions for Principals is paramount. However, in the wake of the last 18 months, uncertainty is on the rise. This is particularly acute when it comes to changing patterns of flight traffic.

Looking back to pre-Covid flight path data, Inmarsat Aviation’s Head of Business and General Aviation, Kai Tang highlights how business aviation connectivity was primarily situated across North America and Europe. And while those regions are still prevalent today, the habits of Inmarsat’s customer base are shifting.

“There’s a lot of additional traffic,” he points out. “Especially across Asia Pacific and other emerging routes – there’s a lot of density through the Hawaiian Islands down to South America and Africa.”

Be prepared for a fluctuating future

As a global satellite operator, this is important. There may well be a variety of reasons for these changing patterns, but it’s our job to offer a reliable and robust connectivity service to our Principals regardless of where, or when, they are flying.

“This unpredictability is something that, as a satellite operator, we have to take into account when we’re designing systems,” Tang says. “Particularly for an industry like business aviation. It takes time to ensure you have all the satellite coverage and capacity. But also the gateways and all of the end-to-end interconnections that ensure the email reaches where it needs to, that the voice call reaches where it needs to and that the conference call can be connected.” 

Data demand and consumption surging

We are not just seeing business aviation’s range and locations become more global. Data demands have changed too, and we have seen a rapid surge across the cabin and the cockpit. An increasing reliance on and use of streaming services such as Netflix is one reason, but web browsing, network storage and software updates are also responsible for this sheer upturn in data usage.

“As technology improves with regards to computing power and certainly with devices and apps, these are becoming more and more bandwidth intensive – or bandwidth hungry,” says Tang.

Additionally, operators and Principals are finding new ways to use connectivity. That’s why Tang believes that data demand and data consumption – that were rising before the pandemic – won’t just level off as we come out of this COVID era. “I don’t think anyone expects data consumption to return simply to pre-pandemic levels and stay there,” he argues. “It will continue to rise at the rate that we were seeing before that.”

Therefore, it’s crucial that connectivity is built for mobility. If capacity doesn’t travel with a Principal, they can expect differing user experiences. And if there’s one thing that VIPs won’t accept it’s systems failing or their time being wasted. 

The importance of staying the course

During this period of turbulence its vital aviation taps into its renowned resilience and, according to Tang, “stays the course.”

While others might exalt speed of connectivity, Tang believes this shouldn’t be the only focus. “We’re doing the right things by futureproofing our systems for consistent, reliable and dependable connectivity Principals can rely on.”

It’s here where our experience and expertise comes to bear. We’re currently seeing 99.8% of Principal data demands being met. To consistently hit this figure is a testament to Inmarsat’s global mobility and reliability which allows us to adapt to shifting customer patterns to ensure Principals can host that conference call whenever they need to and no matter where they’re flying. 

Futureproofing vital

Looking ahead, Tang firmly believes that these evolving patterns will continue to develop. Business aviation is becoming more global; Principals are flying longer and further and using more data as they do so. It’s our responsibility to plan not just for today, but for tomorrow.

With 14 satellites in operation across Ka-band and L-band, and 7 more to come by 2023, Inmarsat will be able to provide the world’s most futureproofed business aviation connectivity solutions. And look out for new product announcements before the end of the year too.

Change might be the only constant in business aviation—but we’re here to meet this change head on.

Inmarsat Business Aviation—Built to deliver excellence