Honeywell has signed a raft of connectivity deals at MEBAA and the company’s regional boss says there has been huge interest in this arena at the show this year.
“Connectivity and services is the theme of MEBAA 2016,” says Raghed Talih, director for Middle East and Turkey at Honeywell’s commercial aviation division. “It is also the theme of business aviation at the moment.”
Three local operators have announced deals with Honeywell at the show for its JetWave Ka-band satellite connectivity hardware and GoDirect cabin connectivity services. These include Saudi VVIP charter company Sky Prime Aviation Services, Abu Dhabi’s Royal Jet and Arab Wings/Gulf Wings, which are both part of the International Wings Group.
Talih says the longer-term outlook for connectivity and services in the Middle East and North Africa is upbeat, although business may be slower in the short-term. “We see 2017 as being flat to down and we see 2018/2019 as when the trend really goes up.”
Introduction of new aircraft from manufacturers such as Bombardier, Dassault and Gulfstream will power this rise in demand. “It will ride on that wave of new equipment introductions,” he says.
For all the coverage from MEBAA visit our dedicated landing page
Source: Flight Daily News
