Viasat, a global communications company, has been granted a Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Validation of Supplemental Type Certificate (VSTC) to install its advanced Ka-band satellite connectivity system on the Boeing 737 aircraft series.
In April 2022, the company was validated for the A320 series, the latest approval for the 737-NG series enables Chinese airlines to install and deploy Viasat’s In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) system, including antenna, radome, modem, server and WAPs.
Don Buchman, Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Aviation at Viasat, said: “Receiving CAAC validations is a great honor as we continue to invest in China for the long run. Incredibly, our current CAAC certifications allow us to serve over 75 percent of aircraft in China. We are grateful to our partners and excited to support the digital transformation of Chinese airlines both domestically and for international flights.”
In cooperation with China Satellite Communications, Co. Ltd. Viasat’s IFC system connects with the Ka-band ChinaSat-16 satellite system to enable video streaming, browsing, messaging, and more to every connected device on Viasat-equipped aircraft operating over China. Viasat’s IFC system can also connect to its global network outside of China.
Viasat’s solution is also believed to boost passenger loyalty, improve operating efficiencies and increase revenue-generating opportunities through ancillary content and application programs.
