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| Vistara, an Indian carrier, has equipped its fleet of A320’s with SITAOnAir’s network technology. Photo: SITAOnAir |
[Avionics Today 01-07-2016] SITA and SITAOnAir have completed the joint implementation of aircraft communications, airline operations and network connectivity for Vistara, the joint venture between TATA Sons and Singapore Airlines. SITA completed the deployment within a 16-week span.
Vistara is SITAOnAir’s first Aircom FlightPlanner solution customer in India. The technology aims to support Vistara’s plans to expand its flights and fleet across India. The carrier started flying in January 2015 and has 307 flights each week, across 12 destinations in India; it currently has has nine A320s in its fleet.
“Indian aviation has an immense growth potential. This will be one of the world’s largest aviation markets within the next five years,” Vistara CEO Phee Teik Yeoh said. “We are putting all the right tools in place to make sure we are best positioned to leverage the growth opportunity. The efficient communication and network technology that SITA and SITAOnAir have delivered are both essential for smooth operations and facilitating our expansion.”
Aircom FlightPlanner provides computerized flight plans and data such as in-flight weather updates and airport information. The solution looks to implement route planning that reduces operational costs, improves on-time performance, and facilitates safer and smoother flights by avoiding major weather events.
Vistara also uses SITAOnAir’s Aircom Datalink services, FlightMessenger and FlightTracker to manage Air-to-Ground (ATG) communications for the flight crew, airline operations and air traffic controllers, as well as to track their aircraft. SITAOnAir’s Very High Frequency (VHF) network provides the connection between the aircraft and the ground.