FTS partners Qingdao Airlines to become the first in China to equip Ka-band Inflight Broadband Connectivity system fleet
Hamburg, Germany – April 10, 2018 – With the recent CAAC (Civil Aviation Authority of China) relaxation of regulations to allow passengers to use smartphones during flights, the China aviation market has been buzzing with activity on a rush to provide inflight connectivity. FTS announced today at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2018 in Hamburg, Germany, that it is partnering with Qingdao Airlines in China to equip its entire fleet of A320 aircraft with FTS’ XSTREAM-SAT Ka/Ku Dual-Band Broadband Connectivity system.
Qindao Airlines is a fast expanding private airline in China, currently operating a fleet of 14 A320s and serving a route network of over 20 domestic destinations. With its commitment to “Passenger First,” the airline has been outperforming the market and plans to expand to over 100 aircraft by 2025. “Even before the lifting of the ban on passengers using their smartphone, we had been actively looking for a solution that meets our needs. The timing is right now that the smartphone ban was lifted, ChinaSat launched its Ka-band satellites and FTS is here with its XSTREAM-SAT system to complete the puzzle,” said the spokesperson for Qingdao Airlines.
“We are extremely honored and delighted to be working with Qingdao Airlines on this groundbreaking agreement to equip their fleet with our Ka/Ku-band Satellite Broadband Connectivity solutions. In the end what won them over is that we are not just offering hardware, but a total solution including a business management platform that helps minimize cost and maximize revenue. FTS offers local support, integration services and market know-how that differentiates us from other providers,” added Mr. Duan Shiping, President of FTS group.
FTS will be at hand to share more on its XSTREAM-SAT solution and also unveil new innovations at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2018 in Hamburg Germany, booth 4A04, from 10th-12th April 2018.
