Video Competes with In-Flight Broadband for Airline Passenger Spending

Live broadcast video is also poised for significant growth in 2009, according to market research and consultancy firm In-Stat. While this service is more established than in-flight broadband, usage revenues are still anticipated to nearly double in 2009 to reach almost a quarter of a billion dollars, nearly five times the size of the in-flight broadband market.

However, the compelling demand for Wi-Fi connectivity among airline passengers drives higher growth for in-flight broadband. By 2011, in-flight broadband service revenue will exceed that of direct video broadcast, with in-flight broadband revenues of $761 million.

"The airline industry is desperately trying to better monetize its cabins," according to Frank Dickson, In-Stat Vice President of Research. "Direct video broadcast services and in-flight broadband services are two compelling ways that provide passengers with a better customer experience while allowing the airline industry to add incremental revenue. It is a true win/win."

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• The majority of direct video broadcast deployments belong to LiveTV, with Panasonic being their largest competitor.
• In-Stat expects that, in later forecast years, IPTV will contribute a portion of in-flight video revenues.
• The number of broadband enabled airplanes will increase from 25 in 2008 to 800 in 2009.
• Airline passengers will generate over $47 million worldwide in 2009. In-flight broadband equipment revenue will nearly double between 2009 and 2013.
• In-Stat forecasts over 200 million annual in-flight broadband connects by 2013, with long-haul connects dominating over short-haul connects.

Posted to the site on 18th June 2009