Africa for Information Technology and Aviation (AITA), which specialises in aviation IT solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Arabia SKYFive, which provides broadband connectivity for aircraft, to provide high-speed in-flight connectivity (IFC) services for airlines in Egypt.
The collaboration will leverage the latest air-to-ground (A2G) communication technology and address the issue of Egypt being a prominent travel destination but one with severely limited in-flight connections.
Discussions with major Egyptian airlines on service implementation are already underway, with sign-off said to be likely in the near future.
The first commercial aircraft is scheduled to be ready for operation on an international route between Egypt and Saudi Arabia by the end of 2025.
Through this partnership with SKYFive Arabia, AITA says it will offer Egyptian airlines high-speed broadband connectivity, ensuring seamless and instant responsiveness for both passengers and crew. The A2G technology, developed by the German parent company SKYFive, has already been successfully deployed across Europe. In fact, Egyptian companies will join a number of top-tier global airlines that are already using SKYFive technology through the European Aviation Network (EAN) operated by Viasat. Egyptian airlines will also benefit from uninterrupted connectivity across Europe via a roaming agreement between SKYFive and Viasat.
It has been estimated that the implementation of the A2G network in Egypt will benefit over 25 million passengers annually.
AITA explains that a ground-based network, leveraging proven cellular technology, will ensure that passengers can expect a seamless browsing experience with high speeds and minimal latency. The integration of lightweight technology not only enhances efficiency but also reduces weight and drag, contributing to lower fuel consumption and improved environmental sustainability.
AITA aims to expand its partnerships to cover all airlines in Egypt. It says it also has an ambitious expansion plan to introduce in-flight internet technology across Africa.
