Airbus has announced that Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s leading carrier, has equipped its four new A350-1000 aircraft with Airbus’ advanced integrated satellite connectivity solution, known as HBCplus. The airline’s adoption of HBCplus marks a significant milestone, as it becomes the second airline worldwide to opt for this cutting-edge technology. Deliveries of the equipped aircraft are scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2024.
Airspace Link HBCplus provides satcom based off-board connectivity for the Airspace Link open ecosystem, available in both linefit and retrofit configurations. Initially offering Ka-band services, this state-of-the-art solution allows the airline to connect with a selection of Managed Service Providers (MSPs), with Inmarsat being the chosen partner in this case. The new certified terminal and antenna, integrated into the aircraft as part of the HBCplus program, enable seamless connectivity with Inmarsat’s network.