[Satellite TODAY 10-19-11] SkyBlue Technology Development has received a third extension to its Iridium frequency bandwidth approval for aviation satellite communications in China, SkyBlue announced Oct. 18.

   The approval allows SkyBlue to provide its Automated Flight information Reporting System (AFIRS) equipment for installation on Chinese aviation assets through 2016. SkyBlue said its next renewal is scheduled at the end of 2017.

   “The agreement makes SkyBlue the exclusive distributor of AFIRS products in China as well as the exclusive reseller of AFIRS Iridium-based data and voice services to the aviation community in China as part of our mandate and requirements from the Civil Aviation Administration of China,” SkyBlue said in a company statement. “We had to work with the marketing brand for AeroMechanical Services, Flyht, to provide proprietary technological products and services designed to reduce costs and improve efficiencies in the airline industry in order to obtain the necessary bandwidth approval.”