SITA has announced a new Iridium-based service offering aimed at short-haul aircraft, which are increasingly operating on routes not covered by ground-based VHF radio.
The Iridium systems provide data capacity for ACARS transmission and higher-quality voice service than the legacy HF radio systems that these short-haul aircraft need to use when outside VHF radio coverage.
Philip Clinch, SITA vice president, aircraft communications, said, "We're happy to be able to offer our customers a way to keep control of the short-haul aircraft which they are sending on more demanding routes. The airline interest is proven by the fact that three airlines had already signed to use this access option before it was officially launched."
