Cathay Pacific Airways of Hong Kong will be the first commercial airline customer to adopt an Iridium-based global satellite voice service developed by ARINC and International Communications Group (ICG), Iridium Satellite announced Jan. 31.

ARINC will install the Iridium Satellite voice telephone systems on seven Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-200 series aircraft to provide air-to-ground communication for flight crews.

Cathay Pacific Airways operates a fleet of 18 aircraft and has ordered eight new aircraft for delivery from 2007 through 2009.