ThinKom’s ThinAir Ka2517 antenna has been selected by Neo Space Group (NSG) for installation across the narrow-body fleet on multiple airlines. ThinKom will provide its flight-proven multi-orbit phased array solution, integrated by RAVE Aerospace as a turnkey installation kit to deliver high-speed, inflight internet service with Saudia and Riyadh Air, helping NSG to expand its global connectivity footprint.
Saudia’s A320 deployments are ongoing, while the Riyadh Air A321neo fleet will be delivered from Airbus with the solution installed. Both airlines will offer a truly multi-orbit solution — powered by the Ka2517, Neo Space Group and the SES Open Orbits platform – delivering resiliency and flexibility via future-proof hardware.
“Our flight-proven ThinAir antennas bring unmatched throughput, spectral efficiency and reliability to the skies,” added Jeff Sare, chief commercial officer at ThinKom. “We are proud to partner with NSG to enable the next generation of inflight connectivity for Saudia, Riyadh Air, and others, seamlessly harnessing the power of SES’s Open Orbits multi-orbit and multi-constellation services.”
NSG’s inflight internet solution is powered by Skywaves, an advanced traffic management platform, delivering seamless, high-performance connectivity through a multi-orbit (GEO + NGSO) architecture. Offering global coverage and bandwidth of up to 300 Mbps, Skywaves is powered by an open system design and the highly efficient Ka2517 antenna, enabling smooth transitions between satellite constellations and orbital layers.
ThinKom’s Ka2517 holds SES type certification, confirming its ability to operate on the Open Orbits network. This includes services on SES’s geostationary satellites as well as the O3b Classic and next-gen mPOWER MEO constellations.
The Ka2517 also holds certifications from relevant aviation authorities, including GACA (Saudi Arabia) and EASA (Europe). It is offered as a linefit option on Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
“We’re bringing the strength and versatility of NSG’s multi-orbit connectivity solutions to life, backed by the SES Open Orbits program,” added Tarek El Mitwalli, executive vice president of Aviation at NSG. “We are excited to leverage ThinKom’s best-of-breed antenna hardware in the solution, ensuring industry-leading performance across all orbital planes. This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to the forward-thinking vision of all parties.”
In addition to the recent announcements from Riyadh Air and Saudia, NSG holds contracts with Thai Airways, Uzbekistan Airways, and Turkish Airlines. These deals all leverage the Ka2517, demonstrating the flexibility of the hardware across single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft and the global reach of the solution.
ThinKom’s ThinAir product line of antenna hardware has proven reliability, with over 2,000 aircraft installations and more than 65 million flight hours logged with its phased-array antenna technology. Its low power draw and low associated heat dissipation requirements make it an ideal solution for Middle East markets. Furthermore, Ka2517’s low drag design ensures the most environmentally efficient deployment available.
This partnership between NSG, SES, and ThinKom enables a future-focused solution, supporting a global push to offer next-generation digital experiences to passengers. It also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader aviation transformation initiatives under Vision 2030, which envisions more than 300 million travelers to and through Saudi Arabia.