New satellite connectivity service keeps airports online
SITA Managed Satellites delivers reliable, secure communication
in over 130 countries, even during blackouts and emergencies.
GENEVA – In an industry where every second of downtime can disrupt passengers and delay operations, a new satellite service is helping airports and airlines stay connected, no matter what. With the launch of SITA Managed Satellites, airports around the world can now maintain vital communication at all times, even during blackouts, natural disasters, or in the most remote or infrastructure-limited locations.
The fully managed service is now available in over 130 countries, offering primary, secondary, and emergency connectivity options tailored specifically for the air transport industry. It takes advantage of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver secure, high-bandwidth, low-latency communications that keep airport systems running continuously. This is also the case when other networks are struggling or completely offline.
SITA Managed Satellites doesn't only support regular networks that are in high demand. Recent global events have shown just how vulnerable traditional fiber and terrestrial networks can be. From earthquakes to extreme weather and fiber cuts, many airports, large and small, have experienced partial or complete outages. Even in major hubs, network congestion during peak periods can strain bandwidth and disrupt key services. SITA's new satellite solution addresses these risks directly, giving airport and airline teams a way to keep operations running when it matters most.
SITA Managed Satellites provides a fast, cost-effective way to deploy connectivity wherever it's needed, including off-airport locations, aircraft maintenance hangars, cargo hubs, and even remote sites without existing digital infrastructure. It also unlocks temporary service for new route openings, seasonal operations, or rapid emergency deployments. This makes sure that ground crews and systems are never out of touch.
'The quality and availability of the latest satellite technology means that it's becoming a vital component within high availability networks. Airports, in particular, need new ways to ensure they can maintain critical operations in whatever circumstances they face – even when adverse incidents strike,' said Martin Smillie, Senior Vice President, Communications and Data Exchange at SITA. 'Delivering high-speed internet connectivity via established satellite providers, SITA Managed Satellites allows customers to optimize operational performance. SITA Managed Satellites is an innovative solution to keep all parts of the aviation industry connected to vital platforms – even in the most challenging of times – and can be adapted for other transport sectors and markets also. It delivers a blend of availability and cost-effectiveness to optimize investments in any cloud, on-premises or hybrid computing environment.'
SITA's global team provides 24/7 monitoring, installation, maintenance, and support. The solution also integrates with other SITA connectivity services, offering customers a flexible, bundled approach to network resilience.
Key features include:
A secure, aviation-specific satellite service that meets industry regulations
Full lifecycle management and support in over 130 countries
Proactive infrastructure monitoring to resolve issues before they impact operations
Optional bundling with other SITA airport connectivity solutions
Expert on-site support for surveys, setup, ongoing maintenance, and hardware replacement
With aviation more reliant than ever on uninterrupted digital operations, SITA Managed Satellites gives customers the confidence and tools they need to keep critical systems live, even in the most unpredictable conditions.
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Africa 2024 Net Profit (e) (net margin) Per passenger 2025 Net Profit (f) (net margin) Per passenger 2025 Demand (RPK) 2025 Capacity (ASK) $0.2 b (1.0%) $1.2 $0.2 b (1.1%) $1.3 +8.0% +7.3% Africa's carriers face high operational costs and a low propensity for air travel expenditure in many of their home markets. A shortage of aircraft and spare parts is dampening growth in the region. The shortage of foreign currency in some economies, particularly US dollars, is adding to the region's challenges. Despite these challenges, there is sustained demand for air travel in Africa. The Traveler's Viewpoint Air travel delivers value to consumers. An April 2025 public opinion poll (commissioned by IATA covering 14 countries with 6,500 respondents who have taken at least one trip in the last 12 months) revealed that 97% of travelers expressed satisfaction with their travel (58% indicating they were highly satisfied). 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