Bridging Gaps in Communication

With the holiday season over, it’s a timely reminder of the importance and impact of digital communication in our daily lives. From calling loved ones afar to flying across the globe to reunite with family, advancements in communication and transport have brought us closer together. Yet, despite these improvements, significant connectivity “black spots” still exist - particularly over oceans, remote mountain ranges, and sparsely populated regions where geography limits infrastructure.

For air traffic management, these gaps expose critical challenges, leaving planes in vast areas with minimal or no real-time communication coverage. Recognising this, Skykraft is bridging the divide with satellite-based Air Traffic Management (ATM) technology. By complementing ground-based systems with satellite services, Skykraft aims to provide global connectivity by 2027, enhancing air safety and enabling real-time VHF communications in previously uncovered regions. This innovation will improve safety and efficiency.

Goodbye to HF headaches

The need for reliable, real-time air traffic communications has never been greater. Across densely populated regions, aircraft benefit from strong coverage supported by established ground-based radio networks and communications infrastructure. But for flights over oceans, deserts and mountainous terrain, maintaining a consistent voice link can be far more challenging.

Historically, pilots in these remote regions have relied on HF radio, yet its variable audio quality, interference and unpredictable propagation can make communications unreliable—leading to repeated calls, misunderstood clearances and operational delays. Skykraft’s satellite constellation eliminates these limitations by delivering continuous, clear and dependable voice communications coverage wherever aircraft operate.

Greener Skies Through Smarter Routing

Skykraft’s space-based VHF communications enables a more efficient use of airspace by providing a continuous, reliable voice link in oceanic and remote regions. With clearer communications, air traffic services can safely manage more aircraft on the optimum tracks - reducing the need for conservative spacing, off-track routings and altitude constraints. This allows aircraft to fly closer together on the most direct paths, improving overall traffic flow, cutting delays and minimising unnecessary fuel burn. The result is lower emissions and a more sustainable aviation system without compromising safety.

Enhancing Emergency Response in Remote Regions

Reliable satellite connectivity can be mission-critical during emergencies, especially in remote areas where ground communications infrastructure is limited or unavailable. VHF voice is the standard communications method used in aviation—and it’s already fitted to virtually every aircraft—yet its coverage is traditionally restricted to line-of-sight ground stations. Skykraft’s space-based VHF communications extends this familiar, proven capability far beyond the coastline, enabling clearer and more dependable coordination for relief flights, medical evacuations and search-and-rescue missions. Whether it’s delivering supplies to an isolated island or managing aircraft movements over vast mountainous terrain, Skykraft helps keep pilots and response teams connected, coordinated and informed when it matters most

Looking to the Future

As global air traffic continues to grow, the need for clear, consistent communications in oceanic and remote airspace is becoming more critical than ever. While VHF is the global standard for safe and efficient air traffic communications, its coverage is traditionally limited to line-of-sight ground stations—leaving many regions dependent on HF radio, which can be variable in quality and reliability.

Skykraft changes that by extending VHF voice communications via satellite into areas where HF has historically been the only option. The result is a more familiar, dependable communications environment for pilots and controllers—supporting safer operations, smoother traffic flow and more efficient use of global airspace.

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