Aircell Receives Two FAA Approvals Needed for Inflight Mobile Broadband

The FAA has approved the installation of Aircell equipment and the use of it parts on U.S. aircraft, moving it closer to its goal of bringing inflight mobile broadband connectivity to airline passengers.

The two approvals include a STC (supplemental type certificate), permitting installation and operation of the company's ATG (air-to-ground) network on commercially operated B-767-200s, and a PMA (parts manufacture approval) that authorizes the manufacture of aircraft parts at Aircell's Bensenville, Illinois, facility.

The important approvals follow Aircell's completion of its nationwide wireless ATG network in January and a demonstration flight across the U.S. at the end of March to show its operational readiness.

Aircell and American Airlines completed the installation of ATG technology on a commercial aircraft in January, and American is now completing the equipment installations on its remaining 14 B-767s which are expected to go live sometime this summer. Aircell is also working with Virgin America to integrate the technology into its Red IFE (inflight entertainment system), and will begin offering Aircell's mobile broadband service to its passengers later this year. 04-09-2008.

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