Iridium debuts Iridium Certus service for aviation. Photo: Iridium

Iridium Communications is expanding its Iridium Certus service, launching service for commercial aviation, the company announced Monday. The L-band service is now available for cockpits in commercial transport aircraft, business aviation, helicopters, private aircraft, and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).

Safety certifications with partner manufacturers and resellers are in progress, with flight trials expected to begin by the end of 2023 and approvals expected in 2024. 

Iridium pitched the service as a complement to Ka- and Ku-band connectivity services in commercial passenger cabins, and can be primary connectivity for small-to-mid-size business jet cabins. Iridium also recommended it over high frequency/very high frequency service for electronic flight bag (EFB), flight critical data, and passenger communications during oceanic flights.

“Iridium’s first-generation voice and data solutions are installed on over 60,000 aircraft today and have been critical for flight safety and relied upon by pilots and airlines for years,” said John Peterson, executive director of Aviation, Iridium. “As the preferred solution for a wide range of aviation applications, from drones to airliners, Iridium Certus is ready to support the industry’s evolving connectivity needs.”