Inmarsat has expanded their global network of Value Added Resellers (VARs) for the firm's GX Aviation inflight broadband solution with the addition of Honeywell Aerospace.
The agreement builds on Inmarsat’s long-standing partnership with Honeywell, who already manufactures the JetWave hardware for GX Aviation and sells Inmarsat’s Jet ConneX inflight WiFi service for the business aviation market, through the GoDirect retail services business.
GX Aviation is a global, high-speed inflight broadband service, delivered through a wholly-owned and operated network of Global Xpress (GX) High-Throughput Satellites (HTS). This award-winning solution allows passengers to seamlessly browse the internet, stream videos, check social media and more during flights, with onboard connectivity comparable to the mobile broadband services they receive on the ground.
As part of the agreement, Honeywell will now market GX Aviation to airlines worldwide through the rapidly growing GoDirect retail services business. This increases the company’s focus on end users, allowing it to tailor smart connectivity solutions directly to individual customers — whether in the airline or business aviation space. It addition, Honeywell will continue to manufacture and sell the JetWave hardware to airline and business aviation customers.
Executive Comments
Philip Balaam, President of Inmarsat Aviation, said that Inmarsat and Honeywell have an extremely successful track record of working together in the fast-growing inflight connectivity market. Inmarsat is delighted to now extend this partnership. Honeywell’s unique depth of experience in this field and their close relationships with airlines make them a perfect fit as a value-added reseller of GX Aviation. This agreement also builds on Inmarsat's exceptional go-to-market strategy and comes soon after a new strategic collaboration with Panasonic Avionics and the company's continued success with existing value-added resellers, which have done an outstanding job in selling GX Aviation to leading airlines across the world. The firm's distribution network is now, truly,the best of the best.
Ben Driggs, President of Services and Connectivity, Honeywell Aerospace, added that a shift is underway in the aviation industry, focused on higher margin opportunities in software, services and predictive data analytics. Today’s announcement gives Honeywell the ability to market the company's multitude of GoDirect Connected Aircraft services in addition to hardware directly to future airline customers.
