In-flight connectivity in focus as Viasat partners WINGS INDIA 2026

As India prepares to scale its aviation ecosystem to support the next phase of growth and evolving passenger expectations, Viasat, has announced its partnership with WINGS INDIA 2026, a major civil aviation event scheduled to take place from 28 to 31 January 2026 at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad.

As a corporate partner, Viasat will take part in several forums during the event, including the Global CEOs Forum on the opening day and a strategic roundtable on Advanced Air Mobility. The company said it will engage with airline operators, aircraft manufacturers and policymakers to discuss the role of next-generation in-flight connectivity (IFC) in supporting India’s aviation objectives and improving the passenger experience.

In-flight connectivity forms a key part of Viasat’s approach to India’s expanding aviation market, where passenger demand for reliable onboard internet access continues to grow. The company is positioning IFC as an infrastructure layer that can support both operational efficiency for airlines and digital services for passengers.

Gautam Sharma, Managing Director of Viasat India, said the partnership reflects the company’s focus on India’s aviation ecosystem, noting that in-flight connectivity is increasingly shaping how passengers use travel time. He added that Viasat is working with industry stakeholders to explore how IFC can support the sector’s long-term development and improve customer satisfaction.

India is currently the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market and is expected to see passenger numbers double by 2030. Against this backdrop, Viasat’s IFC strategy for India draws on more than a decade of experience in satellite communications. The company’s offering includes support for both line-fit and retrofit aircraft installations, network management aligned with airline requirements, and operational and maintenance support designed to ensure service continuity.

Viasat’s satellite network provides the capacity required to deliver broadband services onboard aircraft, enabling passengers to access digital services such as streaming, messaging, email, VPN connectivity and online transactions during flights.

More recently, the company introduced its Connected Partner Platform, which is designed to simplify the integration and management of onboard digital services. The platform allows airlines to host applications, work with third-party partners, and update services over the air, while using data analytics to manage and refine the onboard experience.