The UAE satellite operator Yahsat, a unit of Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company, forecasts strong demand for its in-flight Wi-Fi service from low-cost carriers seeking to maximise revenues, and e-commerce firms offering deals to passengers, its chief executive said.
"Naturally, I would expect the low-cost carriers would be the ones who came to us as it makes sense for them not to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in an IFE [in-flight entertainment] system," the Yahsat chief executive Masood Sharif Mahmood told The National.
He said Yahsat had held talks with executives from Sharjah-based Air Arabia during the Dubai Airshow last week and, while the company is yet to meet the low-cost airline Flydubai, “we are excited and eager to open dialogue with them, it would make sense”.
In-flight Wi-Fi offers benefits for the region’s expanding e-commerce sector, too. “Imagine the revenue-generating possibilities for airlines and retailers, for Amazon or [the UAE shopping site] noon.com. Look at how many people are travelling in the sky; in terms of retail, these guys are being served by [Duty Free] trolleys being pushed down the aisle, which is Stone Age.
“Imagine the tie-ups that could be formed, the possibilities for air passengers to pre-order after boarding and get [their purchase] delivered at the end of their journey. We could have a global chain of retail.”
Mr Mahmood said Yahsat had yet to hold talks with noon.com but added “definitely this is a conversation we know airlines are keen to engage in”.
Yahsat last month trialled a 50Mbps (megabits per second) in-flight broadband connection that it claims will “change the way passengers experience air travel across the world”.
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The trial, conducted on a testbed Airbus A320 in partnership with Etihad Airways Engineering, part of Abu Dhabi’s state carrier, and other partners, achieved 50Mbps speeds using Yahsat’s Al Yah 2 satellite, and Mr Mahmood said faster speeds could be achieved once Yahsat’s third satellite comes online in January.
Under the plans, Yahsat’s Wi-Fi will be rolled out on Etihad flights from either the end of 2018 or mid-2019, subject to official certification. The process takes between 12 and 18 months.
“We know the technology works and are happy with its performance,” Mr Mahmood said. “We are aspiring to get ‘gate-to-gate’ certification, which means from the moment you step into the gate you are connected, while ascending, throughout the flight and descending, you can access social media, conduct business and interact with your loved ones.”
On-board Wi-Fi is typically not gate-to-gate at present – the plane has to ascend to 20,000 feet before it can be switched on. Yahsat's service will be a “step change” for the aviation industry, with the potential to improve passenger experience, boost airline revenues and ramp up aviation security.
Yahsat estimates the downtime loss for aircraft during periods of inactivity is US$100,000 to $150,000 per day. “A lot of the time, planes are on the ground not serving customers. And a lot of that time is spend on non-critical activities,” the chief executive said.
“For example, IFE content is loaded on a plane server ahead of the flight and that takes time. Imagine if I can do an upload mid-air. You no longer need to stop the plane for three hours.” If there are delays, he added, the airline can be selling online to its customers. “You are talking about huge efficiencies and optimisation.”
Meanwhile, a continuous Wi-Fi connection, kept separate from the aircraft’s flight control system for security, allows for live beaming of flight data to the ground, removing the need for an emergency black box.
Mr Mahmood declined to reveal costs, and said it was up to the airlines what they charge, but noted research had shown passengers were willing to pay between $5 and $9 for a three-hour flight to get good connectivity – “an encouraging sign for the whole ecosystem”.
Research in September by the satellite provider Inmarsat forecast in-flight broadband would be a $130 billion global market by 2035.
“The skies are the last mile that aren’t connected and we are going to play a key role in changing this”, Mr Mahmood said.
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500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group H
Manchester United v Young Boys, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)
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ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
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If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Day 4, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Not much was expected – on Sunday or ever – of Hasan Ali as a batsman. And yet he lit up the late overs of the Pakistan innings with a happy cameo of 29 from 25 balls. The highlight was when he launched a six right on top of the netting above the Pakistan players’ viewing area. He was out next ball.
Stat of the day – 1,358 There were 1,358 days between Haris Sohail’s previous first-class match and his Test debut for Pakistan. The lack of practice in the multi-day format did not show, though, as the left-hander made an assured half-century to guide his side through a potentially damaging collapse.
The verdict As is the fashion of Test matches in this country, the draw feels like a dead-cert, before a clatter of wickets on the fourth afternoon puts either side on red alert. With Yasir Shah finding prodigious turn now, Pakistan will be confident of bowling Sri Lanka out. Whether they have enough time to do so and chase the runs required remains to be seen.
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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