Air Senegal first in Africa to sign for SITAONAIR’s IFC

Courtesy  SITAONAIR

With a growing demand for connectivity from Africa’s young population and a change in the overarching aviation landscape, Air Senegal’s new inflight connectivity offering comes at a crucial moment for economic growth. SITA Air Transport IT Insights figures show that 90% of the world’s airlines plan to have major wireless inflight connectivity programmes in place for enhanced passenger experience by 2021, indicating a prominent shift towards global connectivity as standard.

Senegal’s new flag carrier is looking to expand its footprint by connecting two million passengers on routes between Dakar and Paris. Air Senegal appointed. Under the deal, SITAONAIR is activating its market-leading Mobile ONAIR and Internet ONAIR inflight connectivity solutions – via Link ONAIR over Inmarsat’s GX Aviation network – across Air Senegal’s new A330neo fleet. Following the launch of its first commercial flight in February 2019, passengers have cabin connectivity across Air Senegal’s Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy, on routes connecting West Africa with Europe.

With SITAONAIR’s Internet ONAIR solution over GX Aviation, Air Senegal passengers can access a personalised and seamless inflight connection, keeping them connected with their digital lives as they fly. Mobile ONAIR will give passengers a seamless mobile connectivity experience, providing them with the opportunity to make calls and send texts from the air, just as they would on the ground.

David Lavorel, SITAONAIR CEO, said: “We are pleased to support and pioneer the inflight connectivity landscape, in what is a growing innovation area in Africa. SITAONAIR’s knowledge and expertise, both in establishing aircraft connectivity in burgeoning markets and in working alongside African telecommunications organisations and governments, makes us perfectly placed to enable all of Africa’s airlines to realise their connectivity ambitions. Our telecommunications experts have been at the heart of the significant work done with regulators and we look forward to advancing further for the benefit of the region.”

Philippe Bohn, CEO of Air Senegal said: “We at Air Senegal are extremely proud to say we are leading inflight innovation in Africa’s aviation industry and delivering, thanks to our carefully-considered partnership with SITAONAIR. With our new A330neo fleet, we can connect passengers from Europe with the heart of our country within six hours.”