EUTELSAT HAS emerged as one of the most ambitious players in satellite connectivity. Formed in 2023 through the combination of Eutelsat Communications and OneWeb, it became the world’s first fully integrated GEO-LEO satellite operator. It brought together a fleet of 31 geostationary satellites and a LEO constellation of more than 600 satellites under one roof.

The merger was designed to achieve scale, combining financial strength and the heritage of a GEO provider with the low-latency capabilities of the OneWeb network.

For the business aviation market, this dual-orbit capability is a significant differentiator.

“Eutelsat is entering an important phase of growth in LEO connectivity, supported by long-term investment in our current OneWeb constellation,” says Eva Bisgaard, president, Connectivity at Eutelsat.

Eutelsat has procured 340 new LEO satellites from Airbus Defence and Space. Combined with a previous order for 100 satellites, the company aims to ensure operational continuity and maximise the long-term performance of the OneWeb constellation, with new satellites expected to launch in late 2026 and 2027.

The move is part of a broader refinancing effort that has seen the company firmly secure its financial footing. A successful €670m rights issue, combined with additional reserved capital increases, will be used to reinforce Eutelsat’s financial structure and fund its strategic ambitions. It plans to invest €4bn over the period 2026 to 2029.

“Over the past year, we secured substantial financing to strengthen and expand our network, including additional satellites and future capabilities,” says Bisgaard. “This provides continuity, performance and long-term confidence for our aviation customers as demand for high-quality inflight connectivity continues to grow.”

In business aviation, the OneWeb service is delivered through a strategic partnership with Gogo and its Galileo service, which offers two electronically steered array antenna options. The HDX is designed with a small form factor to fit any size business aircraft whereas FDX is built for larger aircraft.

Download speeds of up to 195Mbps, upload speeds of up to 32Mbps and latency of less than 100ms delivers connectivity for business aircraft including light jets and turboprops to heavy and VVIP bizliners. Flexible data plans and scalability mean the service can be tailored equally to a small business jet or a larger aircraft with more data-intensive demands.

Looking ahead, Eutelsat’s involvement in the European Union’s IRIS programme adds another dimension to its offering, with the multi-orbit constellation’s initial government services expected to begin in 2030.

With a capitalised balance sheet, a satellite procurement programme and a distribution partnership, Eutelsat says it is turning its ambitions into infrastructure.

“For the business aviation market, this means access to secure, resilient connectivity backed by a clear long-term roadmap and sustained investment in LEO,” adds Bisgaard.