Farnborough, UK-based Acropolis Aviation has received EASA approval for an upgraded internet and IFE system on-board its flagship Airbus ACJ319. The system, which delivers download speeds of 432 kilobytes per second, is provided by Rockwell Collins' Skybox cabin solution. With one terabyte of on-board storage capacity, equivalent to approximately 400 feature films, Skybox securely streams digital rights management Hollywood-protected films to any iOS device.

Running alongside this, Satcom Direct's SkyTicket enables passengers to log on securely to browse the internet, use WhatsApp, update Facebook or manage emails.

“We have enjoyed a good working relationship with Rockwell Collins on various avionics systems and with Satcom Direct on flight deck services, so it was good to extend the portfolio of activities with both companies,” comments technical director Aidan Murphy. “Satcom Direct is also right on our doorstep at Farnborough so we can call on them personally if we encounter a problem with the system.”

Acropolis Aviation announced at EBACE in May this year it will be launch customer for the first Airbus ACJ320neo, but with the aircraft entering service in early 2020 a decision on the cabin IFE and internet system will be taken much nearer to the delivery time.

“The industry is moving really quickly. We are seeing prices dropping and speeds increasing, which is all good,” adds CEO Jonathan Bousfield.