Longest-Running Airline in the Americas Selects Iridium® for Voice and Data Communications
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BETHESDA, Md. - February 5, 2008 - As Iridium® Satellite continues to gain momentum in the aeronautical satellite communications market for the world's major airlines, the company is proud to announce that Avianca Airlines of Columbia is installing Avionica's Iridium-based satLINK Communications Module on its fleet of 14 long-range Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft. Avianca is the oldest airline in the Americas and the second-oldest in the world.
Avionica's satLINK Iridium system is a practical alternative offering additional voice and data capabilities to supplement radio cockpit communications. The installation will include antenna, wiring, structural elements and a control panel providing voice communications worldwide, global positioning data over TCP/IP, dedicated voice and data channels and programmable traffic routing.
"South America's topography causes HF signal reflections which lead to gaps in service availability," explained Raul Segredo, president of Avionica. "During inclement weather, these gaps restrict non-stop flights, resulting in delays as well as increased technical and labor costs. However, Avionica's satLINK system operates over the Iridium network. With Iridium's ubiquitous global coverage, our solution effectively eliminates the problem of interruptions in cockpit communications and ultimately improves global coordination among the flight operations group, maintenance and crew scheduling."
"The application of Iridium satcom services will eliminate our sole dependency on standard radio communication methods which are limited over remote areas and can be unreliable under certain weather conditions," said Marten Arias, aircraft communications project leader, Avianca. "We selected the satLINK product based on Iridium's lower cost-per-kilobyte of data transferred as well as the ease and speed of installation relative to other systems."
"Iridium has experienced 55 percent growth in the aviation sector over the last 12 months," said Greg Ewert, executive vice president, Iridium Satellite. "Avianca is one of an ever-increasing number of major international air carriers to recognize and utilize the unique benefits of Iridium's global air-to-ground voice and data services. Our prevailing success in this arena is largely attributable to the innovative products being brought to market by our value-added partners such as Avionica."
About Iridium Satellite
Iridium Satellite LLC (www.iridium.com) is the only mobile satellite service (MSS) offering gap-free, pole-to-pole coverage over the entire globe. Iridium's constellation of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites (and multiple in-orbit spares) provides critical voice and data services for regions not served by other communication networks. Driven by increasing demand for reliable, secure, global, mobile satellite links, Iridium has been steadily growing at a double-digit annual rate since 2004. Iridium serves commercial markets through a worldwide network of more than 150 partners, and also provides services to the U.S. Department of Defense, and other U.S. and international government agencies. The company's 250,000 users are in the maritime, aeronautical, government/defense, public safety, utilities, oil/gas, mining, forestry, heavy equipment and transportation industries. Iridium has launched a major development program for its next-generation satellite constellation, called "NEXT," through which it will enable satellite-based innovations beyond communications. The company is based in Bethesda, Md., and Tempe, Ariz., U.S.A. and is privately held.
About Avionica
Since 1992, Avionica (www.avionica.com) has delivered innovative aircraft data interface, collection and analysis products and services to diverse customers, including aircraft, engine and avionics OEMs, operators, maintenance facilities, regulatory agencies, safety boards and militaries worldwide. The company is based in Miami.
About Avianca
Founded in 1919, Avianca (avianca.com), Columbia's national flagship carrier, is the oldest commercial airline in the Americas, and the second-oldest in the world. Headquartered in Bogota, Columbia, Avianca operates domestic and international scheduled and chartered flights out of the El Dorado International Airport and main cities of Colombia to Europe, North America, Central America, South Africa, and the Caribbean. With a fleet of 52 aircraft, Avianca manages four subsidiary airlines in Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador, as well as three business units; Avianca Cargo (Desprisa), Avianca Services, and tour operator, DesKubra.
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Rhodes Communications
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