LONG BEACH — There’s a new inflight connectivity player in town, and it has already been tapped to deliver MEO/GEO satellite-based IFC service to Thai Airways International and Turkish Airlines. The company, called Neo Space Group (NSG), is a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and a key partner in SES’s Open Orbits multi-orbit global network.
During a press briefing at the APEX Global EXPO in Long Beach, Airbus management named Thai Airways and Turkish as new customers for the airframer’s linefit, supplier-furnished Airspace Link HBCplus Ka-band satellite-supported broadband inflight connectivity — revealing that the bandwidth will, in both instances, be delivered by HBCplus managed service provider SES’s multi-orbit MEO/GEO satcom offering alongside SES’s partner NSG.
Now, NSG is putting more meat on the bones of this announcement, revealing that in addition to supporting IFC on Thai Airways’ future new A321s (Airbus calls them LRs, Thai calls them NXs) in partnership with SES under Airbus’ HBCplus program, it will also be delivering a retrofit-ready solution to Thai Airways’ existing Boeing 777 fleet.
Airbus’ ThinKom Ka2517-based Safran Passenger Innovations terminal, provided as part of HBCplus, will be linefitted by Airbus on the Thai Airways A321s, but NSG reveals that Safran’s AeroConnect-branded retrofit offering, also based on Ka2517, will be fitted to the carrier’s 777s, ensuring commonality.
In both instances, NSG’s IFC solution for Thai Airways leverages SES Open Orbits, which upon receipt of requisite regulatory authorizations will ensure “comprehensive coverage across the Asia region” covering all of Thai’s routes. Indeed, NSG’s involvement in Open Orbits was a “key factor” in Thai Airways’ selection process, according to NSG management.
NSG’s fully integrated IFC solution is dubbed Skywaves, and was developed in collaboration with Display Interactive. “[W]e have a close partnership with Display Interactive, which also involves our VC Space Fund. They provide the portal, wireless IFE, and payment integration, while NSG offers the connectivity,” Martijn Blanken, CEO of NSG explains to Runway Girl Network.
The company is promising to deliver speeds of up to 200 Mbps to Thai Airways’ passengers; premium class passengers and Royal Orchid Plus (ROP) members will gain access on a complimentary basis.
Thai Airways has faced some recent challenges, but the carrier is placing a renewed focus on service excellence and digital innovation. “This initiative marks a significant step in our journey to redefine passenger expectations,” says Captain Wirush Theparak, head of customer experience and product at the airline.
“Being selected by Thai Airways International highlights the strength and versatility of NSG’s multi-orbit connectivity solutions,” adds Blanken. “We are excited to support Thai Airways in elevating the passenger experience with reliable, high-speed internet. This collaboration marks not only the airline’s resurgence but also its forward-thinking vision, and we are proud to play a role in shaping its future.”
Given that NSG might be a new name for Runway Girl Network readers, we sought additional color from Blanken. Please enjoy a Q&A with the CEO of this new IFC player. Note that the company has secured over 300 aircraft in its backlog “from airlines across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia”.
RGN: Tell us about NSG and your plans in the IFC industry
Blanken: At Neo Space Group (NSG), we are driven by four strategic business divisions, each playing a critical role in shaping the future of space technology:
Satellite Communication: This division is at the heart of our connectivity services, with inflight connectivity (IFC) being a major focus. We aim to deliver reliable, high-speed satellite communication solutions for airlines, enhancing the in-flight experience for passengers worldwide. We will be supplying IFC services to our first airline in Q1 2025, followed by a broader rollout to more airlines throughout 2025 and beyond
Geospatial: Covering the full spectrum from upstream (satellite data collection) to marketplace (data access and services) and downstream (application of data for industries such as agriculture, energy, and government), our geospatial services are central to empowering businesses with actionable insights
Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT): This division ensures precise and reliable data for critical industries that rely on accurate positioning, navigation, and timing information, such as transportation, defense, and logistics
Venture Capital Division: Fueling our growth, the Venture Capital division is dedicated to identifying and investing in cutting-edge technologies and startups that will further enhance NSG’s capabilities and accelerate growth across our core divisions
Together, these divisions position NSG as a leader in space-driven technologies, with IFC being a key part of our future growth strategy.
RGN: Why is the IFC industry important to NSG?
Blanken: The IFC market is expanding rapidly, with a significant number of aircraft still unconnected
Airlines are growing their fleets and upgrading existing aircraft, especially in the KSA and the wider region, creating strong demand for our services
Market Opportunity: We see a clear gap in the market. Without legacy constraints, we’ve built a product strategy from the ground up to target unmet needs, enabling us to enter and succeed.
Innovative Product Development: Our strategic investments and acquisitions allow us to develop a state-of-the-art IFC solution that exceeds the performance and flexibility of existing market offerings
RGN: As a new entrant to this competitive industry, what will NSG do to ensure a successful market offering and presence? What sets you apart?
Blanken: As a new entrant, we’ve analyzed the evolution of the IFC industry — its challenges, consolidation, and the successes of key players. What sets us apart is our commitment to flexibility — a key component often missing in the market
NSG offers airlines solutions tailored to their unique needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach
Our partnerships with major industry players enable us to deliver flexibility across the entire value chain—from satellite networks (LEO, MEO, GEO) to bandwidth and terminal choices, all the way to the passenger’s digital experience. With this approach, we’re confident in our ability to deliver solutions that airlines and passengers truly value
RGN: Tell us about the setup, partnerships, and the fully integrated ecosystem of services you offer.
Blanken: NSG’s fully integrated IFC solution, Skywaves, developed in collaboration with Display Interactive, leverages multi-orbit connectivity and delivers an innovative, seamless digital experience for passengers
Skywaves integrates with SES’s Open Orbit network, providing a multi-orbit solution with global coverage, partnering with sovereign satellite providers to ensure robust service in an increasingly complex satellite landscape. Additionally, we’re collaborating with Airbus HBC+, Safran, Eclipse, and others to provide multiple hardware options for fleet integration, ensuring seamless deployment of IFC across airlines
RGN: What key milestones should we expect to see from NSG in the near future?
Blanken: Though NSG is a young company, we’ve achieved remarkable milestones in a short time, including securing over 300 aircraft in our backlog from airlines across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia
Key upcoming milestones include launching our IFC services to passengers in Q1 2025 and announcing strategic investments and acquisitions that will enhance our offering—stay tuned for more exciting developments soon
RGN: Does NSG consider itself an aero ISP?
Blanken: NSG acts as the main point of contact for airlines across all IFC services, including the aero ISP. As a flexible service provider, we tailor our solutions based on airline needs, and we are open to working with regional ISPs if required by an airline.
RGN: Will NSG bring any of its own satellite capacity to the table or will it tap into others, through SES Open Orbits and similar partnerships?
Blanken: Yes, NSG will integrate SGS-1 [SaudiGeoSat-1] capacity into services in the region, while leveraging the SES Open Orbit framework for global coverage. This combination ensures we deliver seamless services worldwide.
RGN: Are you operating strictly within SES Open Orbits, or do you have other LEO/MEO/GEO partners? Are you working with Yahsat?
Blanken: The flexibility of SES Open Orbits allows the integration of additional assets, benefiting the overall network. While SES can provide further details on this approach, NSG is continuously exploring opportunities to enhance our offerings, whether through expanding our national space assets, investment initiatives, or new partnerships.
RGN: NSG mentioned plans to invest in space technology startups in Saudi Arabia and globally. How is this strategy progressing?
Blanken: Our Space Fund, part of NSG’s venture capital division, is central to our strategy of fostering innovation. This not only benefits our IFC services but also supports advancements across our broader business verticals. Expect to see these investments materialize in the coming months, directly contributing to our IFC goals.
RGN: Do you intend to align closely with OEMs’ linefit IFC decisions and offer retrofit options that align with airframers’ plans and SES Open Orbits?
Blanken: Providing flexibility to airlines is a core strength of NSG. We plan to work with partners to offer both linefit and retrofit options, meeting OEM standards. A great example is our recent agreement with Thai Airways, where we’ll deliver services on both Airbus linefit (via HBC+) and Boeing retrofit aircraft.
RGN: With recent challenges faced by the GEO satellite community, do you believe GEO-only IFC is still viable in some regions?
Blanken: Flexibility is key to our approach. A single solution, whether GEO, MEO, or LEO, may not always meet an airline’s needs. That’s why we ensure that additional assets and resources can be incorporated, which is a critical feature of SES Open Orbit. In some regions, GEO may still be a viable option, but having flexibility to adapt to changing requirements ensures better service delivery, especially in a complex and evolving space environment.
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- SES embraces more visible role in IFC; advances Open Orbits
- Managed service pedigree drives Hughes IFC gains including at Airbus
- Airbus lays out ultimate vision for connected aircraft
- Safran sits pretty as Airbus breaks vertical integration of IFC
Featured image credited to Airbus