SES S.A. has signed an agreement to receive the full Ku-band capacity of the geostationary communications satellite “Superbird-C2”, owned by SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation for in-flight Wi-Fi services.
To provide in-flight Wi-Fi service available over Japan for airlines in Japan and across Asia, the “Superbird-C2” satellite will be repositioned from its current orbital location at 144°E to a new orbital slot. The service is scheduled to start this winter.
The demand for in-flight internet access has seen a sharp global increase in recent years, driven by the growing expectations of air passengers. The market size for in-flight Wi-Fi services, valued at $7.98 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach $11.85 billion by 2033, underscoring the importance of reliable connectivity as a core component of the modern air travel experience. (Source: Persistence Market Research, “In-flight Wi-Fi Services Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2024–2033” (September 2024))
By dedicating the full Ku-band capacity of the “Superbird-C2” satellite to this initiatives, SES and SKY Perfect JSAT aim to provide a comfortable and stable internet connectivity environment for airlines and passengers, anticipating continued growth in the in-flight Wi-Fi market.
Michael DeMarco, SES, President Aero Vertical, said, “The expanded collaboration with SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation to augment our network provides a leading experience, exceeding airline and passenger expectations. SKY Perfect JSAT continues to be an important and preferred partner of SES for more than 20 years, providing high-quality capacity in Asia. We know we can count on SKY Perfect JSAT’s support to serve our customers’ needs across multiple market sectors, augmenting our global satellite network. This capacity, in particular, will allow SES to continue providing best-in-class in-flight connectivity over Japan and Asia for years to come.”
Tsutomu Kimura, SKY Perfect JSAT, Group President, Space Solution Business Group, Space Business Unit, said, “ We have built a strong partnership with SES for over 20 years, and since providing the “JCSAT-5A” satellite in 2016, we have continued to strengthen our collaboration in the in-flight internet business. This agreement to provide the “Superbird-C2” satellite for coverage over Japan reflects the growing demand for in-flight connectivity among airlines in Japan and across Asia. Together with SES, we remain committed to meeting the expanding communication needs in the Asia-Pacific region.”
