Viasat - Aviation Bizz

Viasat is intimately connected to the aviation community, with more than 30 years of delivering innovation from cockpit to cabin. Whether we’re delighting the ‘always on’ consumers of today or delivering connectivity to the aircraft of tomorrow, Viasat is helping its customers harness the power of connectivity to make their vision a reality.

AviationBizz : What is Viasat’s role within the aviation sector and how has it continued to innovate and support the evolving needs of the industry?

Ghislain : At our core, Viasat is a partner to the aviation sector. For decades now, we’ve been part of the fabric of aviation, providing solutions that span the entire aircraft. This includes best-in-class cockpit to cabin connectivity, next-generation solutions, critical flight deck & safety services, and innovative digital platforms.

But providing these services is only half the story. The real key, and what defines us, is how we innovate to not only support, but to stay ahead of the industry’s evolving needs. We’re constantly listening, and we build our strategy around what we hear.

You can see this ethos in action across the business – from the launch of Viasat AMARA, a multi-network, multi-orbit ready solution reshaping commercial aviation connectivity; to introducing our iQe [In-flight Quality of Experience] scores, reflecting the large scale shift away from speed as a success metric in business aviation; to our commitment to driving ATM modernisation through the Iris programme in partnership with ESA; or even in our satellite programs aiming to unlock incredible capacity globally and keep up with the explosion in data demand.

In short, we provide the secure, reliable connectivity that can power the entire aviation ecosystem. But more importantly, we partner with airlines and operators to understand where the industry is going and deliver the innovations that will get us there. We aren’t just reacting to the future of aviation; we’re actively building it alongside our partners.

AB : As a technology-driven organization founded in 1986, how has Viasat maintained a culture of continuous R&D and engineering excellence in the highly competitive aerospace industry?

GN : The aerospace industry is highly competitive; however, we see this as a positive. New industry players reflect the growing demand for satellite-enabled connectivity solutions, and industry innovations only further accelerate demand and excitement for what we can bring. New solutions that go above and beyond our customers’ expectations are exactly what our R&D and engineering expertise is geared towards.

For us, it really comes down to being a partner, not just a provider. We stay extremely close to real-world aviation needs and work consistently to meet them, now and in the future. Aviation is constantly evolving, so we make sure our work is always grounded in what customers actually need, whether that’s safer operations, better passenger experiences or new airspace capabilities.

That mindset shows up in how our solutions develop over time. For example, Iris is helping move the industry toward a more modern, connected airspace where uncrewed and crewed aircraft can operate safely together. And with Velaris, we’re building connectivity specifically for uncrewed and emerging aircraft, supporting everything from command and control to critical operational data.

Our R&D is relentlessly data-driven. We use AI and advanced analytics to monitor our global network and ensure we continue to innovate where it truly matters: delivering a reliable, high-performance experience.

AB : How can advanced satellite communication technologies contribute to strengthening India’s aviation infrastructure, rural connectivity, and future smart mobility ecosystem?

GN : Advanced satellite communication can be a pivotal technology for India’s next phase of growth. India is a unique market, with the world’s largest population, a vast geographic range, a rapidly growing economy with high traffic zones, gaps in terrestrial coverage, and important local regulatory requirements.Access to reliable and high-quality connectivity solutions can play a critical role in meeting the country’s needs and ambitions across a range of sectors.

For aviation specifically, satcom can modernize Air Traffic Management by enabling more direct flight paths, reducing fuel consumption, emissions, and delays while enhancing safety. In-flight Wi-Fi solutions are also important in improving passengers’ experiences as more and more people move within the country’s airspace.

At the same time, satellite connectivity is absolutely central to the future

smart mobility ecosystem, including uncrewed aircraft, where safety

critical BVLOS connectivity, command and control, and integration with

ATM/UTM systems will be essential for scaling operations safely.

Ultimately, satcom acts as a powerful catalyst for economic

development, digital inclusion, and sovereign capability.

AB : What emerging technologies do you believe will redefine the future of India’s aviation and satellite communication industries in the coming years?

GN : As mentioned, next-generation air traffic management (ATM) modernisation will be one of the most defining innovations for the aviation industry. Viasat’s highly reliable L-band network is renowned for supporting critical safety communications and as the system evolves towards an ATN/IPS multi-link and, in the future, multi-orbit architecture, the scope for future growth only increases.

In in-flight Wi-Fi, intelligent multi-orbit networks could not only support India’s airspace in the future but will reshape the aviation landscape globally. A key component to this will come through advanced network management; able to dynamically allocate bandwidth and ensure peak performance. That means high performance connectivity can be available to serve India’s growing and fast-changing demand. From multi-link BVLOS drone connectivity, to growing SB-S uptake, the opportunity for evolving the airspace in India is significant.

AB : What recent product launches or breakthrough innovations best represent Viasat’s long-term vision for the future of connected aviation?

GN : We’ve had a number of exciting developments recently that truly reflect our long-term vision for integrating new forms of aviation into regulated airspace. The Velaris partner ecosystem, which recently welcomed L2 Aviation, is aimed to turn satellite connectivity into certified, deployable capabilities for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). This is complemented by the Iris Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) flight trials, where, in partnership with Thales, we are building real-world evidence for trusted connectivity in Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, essential for safely integrating uncrewed aircraft. Underpinning this vision is the growth of SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S), our next-generation safety terminal that provides a global, secure, broadband IP connection for both operations and safety communications in the flight deck. Just this month, May 2026, at Airspace World in Lisbon, we were very proud to announce SB‑Safety now has 1,000 aircraft in service. This milestone marks a major moment for Viasat and also the air safety industry more widely, exemplifying how airlines are looking to invest in long-term, next-gen solutions to enable a raft of safety, sustainability and efficiency benefits. We aim to see SB-S continue to grow in the future.