K5-Aviation in Germany has commissioned connectivity provider Gogo to install a third 2Ku system on its Airbus A319 business jet. The installation will be the first on an Airbus ACJ319neo, and it is scheduled to be completed this summer.

The installation design and system integration will be managed by Fokker Techniek under its ACJ319 EASA STC, and will be completed at its facilities in Woensdrecht as part of the green ACJ319neo aircraft VIP completion.

“Our passengers can stay connected virtually anywhere we fly around the globe and they are having an incredible connectivity experience thanks to Gogo's 2Ku system,” says K5's Luca Madone. “The capabilities of Gogo's 2Ku system and network are unmatched anywhere else in business aviation, which allows passengers to do virtually anything online while in flight that they do on the ground. Gogo's 2Ku system seamlessly integrates with our ultra-modern Alster Aero CMS/IFE system which we have installed on our aircraft to give our passengers an online experience never before seen in aviation.”

Gogo president Sergio Aguirre adds: “Today's announcement shows how strongly K5-Aviation believes in our 2Ku system and underscores how well the first two of our 2Ku systems it installed are performing. 2Ku is the best performing connectivity solution in commercial aviation and we are pleased that our customers who fly large business jets are now able to enjoy the same terrific experience.”

Fokker director of sales Johan van Dorst says that the EASA STC has greatly enhanced the company's business: “Having access to the internet, plus being connected and available, is critical for passengers, and the demand for bandwidth will only increase. We are proud to be able to provide our customers with an excellent connectivity experience."

Gogo's 2Ku technology delivers peak antenna speeds of 70 Mbps, enabling live video conferencing, fast internet browsing and streaming video. 2Ku is designed to take advantage of innovations happening in space and is compatible with newer high-throughput and other anticipated satellites, which means that the technology and user experience can continue to improve without the need for invasive changes to the aircraft.

2Ku is a dual antenna system developed by Gogo to bring global streaming-capable Internet to large aircraft. The technology benefits from global coverage and the redundancy of more than 100 satellites in the Ku-band. In addition, the proprietary antenna design gives 2Ku a significant cost and performance advantage over other global solutions.

Gogo has more than 1,100 2Ku aircraft online and has a backlog of approximately 900 2Ku aircraft across 18 of the largest airlines around the globe.