Empire Aviation selects Satcom Direct for connectivity solutions as the first SD Plane Simple Ku-band deployed in UAE

Empire Aviation Group, a leading provider of integrated business aviation solutions and management services has been confirmed as the first operator in the UAE to deploy Satcom Direct's advanced technology Plane Simple Ku-band terminal. The announcement was made this week at the Dubai Airshow.

The two line-replaceable unit system consisting of the tail-mount antenna and SD modem unit is currently being equipped by ACC Columbia Jet at their Hamburg facilities on a Bombardier Global XRS.

The power and flexibility of the technical solution and SD’s strong OEM relationships with a growing roster of STCs across major airframes were all critical factors in Empire Aviation’s decision to begin equipping its fleet with the advanced technology solution.

“As a leading management company, our clients entrust and empower us to deploy solutions that deliver reliability, commercial value and, of course, passenger satisfaction," said Paras Dhamecha, founder and managing director at Empire Aviation Group. "For us, the SD Plane Simple option just made sense.

“Satcom Direct offers a highly attractive single resource for all our connectivity needs. From cockpit to cabin, the system provides leading-edge technology backed by a network of top MRO partners and access to expert support 24/7/365 to keep us connected. This approach gives us peace of mind, minimizing the risk and pain of deploying new technology.”

Paras Dhamecha, founder and managing director at Empire Aviation (left), shakes hands with David Falberg, SD VP International at Dubai Airshow 2023.

The Global XRS will be re-delivered to Empire Aviation in late November, where the SD Dubai team will ensure a seamless entry-into-service and handover.

Since the commercial introduction of the SD Plane Simple Ku-band terminal just over a year ago, the compact terminal which can be simply installed, continues to be successfully adopted worldwide, clocking up over 10,000 flight hours to date. The SD terminal is purpose-built for business aviation to deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity via the Intelsat FlexExec service, which is committed to providing airtime to the business aviation sector. The powerful broadband addresses increased passenger demands for consistent global high-speed data in flight.

SD VP International, David Falberg, said, “We are extremely proud to partner with Empire Aviation Group on this first deployment of our Plane Simple solution in the UAE. This deal is testimony to our continued success in delivering innovation to the market, particularly in the Middle East, and customers’ confidence that our solutions will protect their investment and ambitions. As a business, we value long-term working partnerships that allow us to deliver success to our customers and support their competitive advantage now and in the future."

Dhamecha concludes, “Satcom Direct is a natural partner for us. They are well-established, knowledgeable, and dependable, and our experience with the team has been nothing but positive. Working with SD gives us comfort and confidence, and we look forward to what the future holds together.”

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 16th November 2023 | Issue #724