EASA approves Starlink for ATR 72
January 22, 2025
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved the use of Space X’s Starlink connectivity onboard ATR 72 aircraft, with launch customer Air New Zealand to bring the service to domestic flights from 2025.
Following flight tests carried out on ATR’s 72-600 test aircraft in the past months, PMV Engineering has developed the necessary modifications of the Starlink aeroterminal, which is now available as a retrofit option on all ATR 72-500 and 72-600 operators through a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). “The compact size of the antenna makes it perfectly suited to the ATR platform in terms of aerodynamics,” stated ATR.
As well as offering “unparalleled levels of comfort and passenger experience in the regional market,” the OEM explains that Starlink will also augment pilot safety, allowing flight deck crew to connect to aviation weather services and thus make more informed decision-making.
In December 2024, Air New Zealand announced it was to be the ATR’s inaugural customer, with a trial preceding a commercial rollout on its domestic fleet in 2025. With SpaceX possessing “the world’s largest satellite constellation,” the partnership with Starlink was a “no-brainer,” explained Air New Zealand chief digital officer Nikhil Ravishankar. “Our free and accessible WiFi onboard international flights has proved incredibly popular among customers, so we can’t wait to bring connectivity to domestic flights,” he concluded.
With many operators looking to extend internet connectivity to regional services, ATR also expects strong interest from markets worldwide; highlighting Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the United States as areas “where demand for in-flight connectivity is growing rapidly”.
