Photo: Finnair.

[Via Satellite 09-01-2016] ViaSat has announced it has signed an agreement with Finnair to install a high-speed wireless internet network across the airline’s entire Airbus A320 series short-haul fleet flying in Europe. Meanwhile, EL AL Israel Airlines is currently in customer trials and is expected to enter full retail service before the end of the 2016 calendar year.

ViaSat is the prime contractor to the airlines, making available its vertically integrated in-flight internet system, inclusive of providing Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs), wireless In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system support, passenger-facing access portals, and an end-to-end service that will leverage connectivity from ViaSat’s partner, Eutelsat. The connectivity service uses Ka-Sat, Eutelsat’s high-capacity Ka-band broadband satellite whose service area spans Europe and the Mediterranean Basin.