Fractional operator AirSprint Private Aviation will begin upgrading its Cessna Citation CJ3+, Embraer Legacy 450 and Praetor 500 aircraft to Gogo 5G, making it Gogo's first Canadian fleet customer.

"We strive to provide the highest level of service, and we are always looking for new and innovative ways to enhance our fractional owners' experience; seamless inflight connectivity (IFC) from Gogo was an easy decision," says president and CEO James Elian. "Gogo's 5G system will allow us to provide the best-in-class IFC our owners expect."

Gogo 5G is expected to deliver speeds five to 10 times faster than current speeds, at approximately 25 Mbps on average, and 75-80 Mbps at its peak. Expansion of the Gogo 5G network in Canada will add significantly more time for inflight connectivity for operators flying in or through the country. Gogo is the only air-to-ground (ATG) company in business aviation with coverage in Canada and Alaska.

"AirSprint's selection of Gogo 5G reinforces the value of ATG connectivity for aircraft flying in North America that demand exceptional speeds," says Sergio Aguirre, Gogo president and COO. "Coupled with Gogo's award-winning customer support, AirSprint customers will realise the superior performance of Gogo 5G on the industry's most reliable ATG network."

The agreement includes options for AirSprint to upgrade its midsize aircraft with Gogo Galileo HDX, Gogo's Low Earth Orbit (LEO) global broadband solution, expected to launch in the second half of 2024. The Galileo product line is designed as an extension of Gogo's Avance platform to provide easy upgrade paths to new technologies and networks.

Any aircraft with an Avance product installed (L3, L5, LX5 or SCS), will only need to add the HDX antenna to the fuselage to access the benefits of LEO network technology. When coupled with Gogo 5G, customers will realise increased capacity and redundancy of coverage.