HAMBURG — Saudi Arabian flag carrier Saudia has selected Neo Space Group’s Skywaves-branded multi-orbit inflight connectivity solution for a “significant” portion of its fleet. The hardware is already being equipped to Saudia aircraft, Runway Girl Network can confirm.
Leveraging SES’s Open Orbits hybrid Ka-band MEO/GEO satellite ecosystem, NSG’s Skywaves will power free Wi-Fi for Saudia’s passengers.
“At this stage, we can confirm that the agreement is planned to cover a significant portion of Saudia’s fleet, with a phased rollout approach, and that installations have already commenced,” an NSG spokesperson told RGN as the news broke at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.
Financial terms of the agreement between Saudia and NSG have not been disclosed. Saudia operates a mixed fleet of Airbus A320 Family narrowbodies, A330s, Boeing 787s and 777s. It is celebrating the pact with an image of an A321neo.
Built on a multi-orbit architecture, and based on ThinKom Solutions’ popular Ka2517 VICTS antenna — as supplied and integrated by Eclipse Global Connectivity — NSG’s Skywaves solution is designed to be scalable and adaptable to future developments. For instance, it is capable of talking to Telesat’s Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) service when the constellation comes on line.
“The rollout,” says NSG, “represents a significant step in NSG’s strategy to scale sovereign, multi-orbit connectivity solutions across priority sectors, with aviation serving as a cornerstone vertical.
“This milestone reflects Saudia’s core values of hospitality, innovation, and service excellence, as well as its commitment to bringing the world to the Kingdom. By redefining the digital travel experience, Saudia continues to embody the spirit of Vision 2030 — combining tradition with technology to deliver world-class experiences that celebrate Saudi pride and progress.”
From Falcon 300 to Skywaves: Saudia stays true to Ka2517
This is not Saudia’s first dance with inflight connectivity.
A long-time customer of SITA’s (now defunct) narrowband cabin connectivity service, Saudia later selected a Taqnia Space Ka/Ku broadband hybrid terminal for in-operation A320s and 777s before the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2021, a week after Viasat announced plans to acquire Inmarsat, Saudia became the first airline in the world to select Inmarsat’s next-gen Global Xpress IFC solution, which utilized a GDC/Stellar Blu Falcon 300 terminal (itself based on ThinKom’s Ka2517). Under that arrangement, Stellar Blu was to install the kit on Saudia’s new Airbus narrowbodies post-delivery.
But by mid-2022, Stellar Blu was focused on delivering its Sidewinder-branded electronically steerable antenna (ESA)-based IFC system to the market, including to support Eutelsat OneWeb LEO service for airlines. And in January 2025, when Gilat acquired Stellar Blu, the Israeli firm opted not to shift that ESA-focused strategy.
It is fascinating that Saudia has now turned to NSG, a PIF company and Saudi Arabia’s leading commercial space services provider, to bring the firm’s Ka2517-supported multi-orbit IFC solution to its fleet. And it almost feels like a full circle moment, except that this time SES’s MEO/GEO service will power NSG’s Skywaves solution as opposed to Inmarsat’s GEO service for the Stellar Blu Falcon 300 offering.
The partnership also comes at time when Saudia is scaling its operations, investing in fleet modernization and, according to Saudia Group Director General H.E. Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar, “strengthening our digital infrastructure remains a strategic priority.”
“Connectivity today shapes how guests experience travel and how airlines differentiate themselves in a competitive global market,” he says.
“This partnership allows us to elevate the onboard experience while reinforcing our broader digital ecosystem, supporting our long-term competitiveness and sustained growth in an increasingly connected aviation landscape.”
More widely, notes NSG, “this landmark Saudi partnership comes at a pivotal moment in Saudia’s transformation, reinforcing its largest-ever investment in elevating the guest experience — from cabin modernization to next-generation digital services.”
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- SCIT Group CEO details for powering A2G IFC in Saudi Arabia
- Saudia to launch new GX-powered connectivity solution in early 2023
Featured image credited to NSG/Saudia
