Turkish firms, UK satellite operator sign inflight pact to develop solutions

ANKARA

A British communication satellite company and two leading Turkish firms have signed an agreement on developing integrated inflight connectivity and entertainment solutions, the firms announced on April 12, as reported by state-run Anadolu Agency.

Under the memorandum of understanding signed late April 11, U.K.-based Inmarsat along with Turkish Technic—associated with the national flag carrier Turkish Airlines group companies—and Ankara-based HAVELSAN will offer joint solutions for emerging markets integrating Inmarsat’s inflight broadband solution with the Turkish side’s inflight entertainment system, according to a statement from Turkish Technic.

“The Turkish aviation market is the center of growth in this region,” said Ahmet Karaman, Turkish Technic’s CEO.

“We continue to make major strides in fulfilling the product and maintenance requirements of operators with high-end solutions,” he added.

“Our inflight entertainment system developed with HAVELSAN provides a seamless travel experience and will become even more desirable to operators with the addition of Inmarsat inflight connectivity,” said Karaman.

“Turkish Technic and HAVELSAN’s inflight entertainment system will gain increased synergy and power through our collaboration with Inmarsat,” said Ahmet Hamdi Atalay, CEO of defense and aerospace firm HAVELSAN.

“From serving the fastest-growing aviation market of the world in Turkey, the system is now a global product,” he said.

Inmarsat looks forward to joining forces with two leading Turkish firms “to provide airlines with a truly world-class integrated offering that combines our key strengths,” said Philip Balaam, president of Inmarsat Aviation.

“This region is home to one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world and offers significant opportunities for inflight connectivity and entertainment providers,” Balaam added.