On 22 June, STAECO redelivered B-5411, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, to Shenzhen Airlines – one of Mainland China’s leading carriers – after carrying out a world’s-first satellite communications modification on a Chinese aircraft of this type.

STAECO has fitted B-5411 with a Cobham AVIATOR 300D satcom system, powered by Inmarsat’s next-generation SB-S – a global, secure broadband platform for operational and safety communications that offers airlines unprecedented visibility of their operations through dedicated IP connectivity between the aircraft and the ground. The modification to B-5411 is part of an evaluation of this system on Shenzhen Airline’s Boeing 737 fleet, after successful trials on the airline’s Airbus A320 fleet demonstrated significant communications, tracking, operational and safety benefits and proved its compliance with the CAAC’s mandate requiring airlines to operate and control voice communications independent of Air Traffic Control within four minutes. The system integrates with the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), a set of internationally agreed procedures, protocols and types of equipment designed to assist search and rescue on land, sea and in the air, and covering most areas of the world except the Polar Regions.

With detailed planning, the STAECO team was able to complete the modification to B-5411 in just 15 days. The successful completion of this project is yet another testament to company’s world-class technical expertise.