Riyadh: Neo Space Group (NSG), part of the Vision Portfolio of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, and Saudia, the Kingdom's national airline, have announced the first-ever line-fit activation of NSG Skywaves® in-flight connectivity on Saudia's new Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
According to Saudi Press Agency, this development signifies a major advancement in the partnership between Saudia and NSG, illustrating the collaborative efforts of Saudi Arabia's aviation and space sectors to align with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives. The collaboration highlights a shared focus on innovation and digital transformation aimed at elevating passenger experiences and establishing Saudi Arabia as a leading hub for aviation and space-enabled services worldwide.
The NSG Skywaves® system, utilizing the SES Open Orbits multi-orbit network, integrates GEO and MEO satellite technologies to provide robust, low-latency connectivity across important global flight paths. Operational tests conducted by NSG's engineering teams showed onboard speeds reaching 200 Mbps per aircraft, facilitating a high-quality digital experience for activities such as streaming, messaging, and web browsing.
This activation showcases the successful integration of the Airbus HBCplus line-fit solution and underscores the collaboration among NSG, Saudia, Airbus, SES, and other industry partners to ensure a seamless connectivity experience from the aircraft's entry into service. It also marks NSG's growing role as a global in-flight connectivity provider, highlighting its capability to combine satellite capacity, airborne technology, and digital platforms into a comprehensive connectivity solution.
Rossen Dimitrov, Chief Guest Experience Officer at Saudia, emphasized the importance of connectivity in modern travel, noting that high-speed internet on the A321XLR is crucial to the new Saudia experience. This connectivity allows passengers to remain connected and entertained, offering new onboard experiences such as live television and real-time content.
Executive Vice President of Aviation at Neo Space Group, Tarek El Mitwalli, stated that this milestone demonstrates the integration of aviation, space, and digital infrastructure. The activation of NSG Skywaves® on Saudia's Airbus A321XLR exemplifies how national space capabilities can enhance airline performance and passenger connectivity. Together with its partners, NSG is contributing to a more connected and digitally advanced future for aviation.
The initiative is part of NSG's broader aviation connectivity strategy, which is expanding rapidly across various airline fleets with its next-generation IFC platform, NSG Skywaves®, designed to meet the growing demands of connected aircraft and digital passenger experiences.