Aeronautical Solution
Thuraya will soon launch its aeronautical services on some corporate, leisure and business jets. In partnership with France’s AirsatPhone, Thuraya is also rolling out plans to provide its services, initially on corporate, leisure and business jets and will be followed on commercial and military aircraft as well as helicopters.
The system has completed all tests successfully with only the final testing in real environment that will be concluded in the near future.
With 3,500 corporate and business jets in Thuraya’s coverage area, out of which some 1,500 flights not having satellite telecommunication services, Thuraya foresees a huge potential in this market.
Once Thuraya launches its aeronautical services in commercial aircrafts, the business prospects for Thuraya are indeed brighter because most air travelers want to work even in the sky during flights. Whether it is voice, SMS, e-mail or data, Thuraya provides it all inside the aircraft at extremely competitive rates.
Thuraya’s cost for per minute call will be four times cheaper than what is offered in the industry. Thuraya offers a call rate of flat $ 1.25 cents per minute. The cost of the Thuraya aeronautical service unit on the aircraft, including installation cost is some $ 45,000 for whichever airline opts to buy it.
Thuraya has appointed AirsatPhone as its service provider a year ago who in turn appointed the London based Jetlab as its distributor. Thuraya is also in talks with some commercial airlines to provide its aeronautical services.