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Airshare Selects Viasat In-flight Connectivity for New Aircraft Deliveries 

 Aug. 16, 2022

Viasat Inc. announced that it will install its high-performance, Ka-band in-flight connectivity (IFC) system on Airshare's new Bombardier Challenger 350 deliveries and future Challenger 3500 deliveries that begin next year. The first installation on an Airshare Challenger 350 was completed in July 2022, with additional installations occurring over the second half of this year.

By selecting Viasat, Airshare will provide fractional owners traveling on these aircraft a high-speed connectivity solution during all phases of flight, including taxi, takeoff and landing. Viasat's high speed connectivity will enable Airshare passengers to enjoy the same connected services in the air as they do on the ground, including high-quality video streaming, video conferencing, access to corporate VPN, and more. Viasat's satellite capacity will enable all devices onboard to stream simultaneously, even in dense geographical areas with heavy aviation traffic.

"Excellent connectivity is no longer simply a nice-to-have amenity while in-flight," said John Owen, President and CEO of Airshare. "Airshare's best-in-class service demands a reliable connectivity solution that provides fast speeds and a consistent connection from takeoff to touchdown. Our owners want to stay productive, stream video, and otherwise stay in touch with what's happening on the ground. Choosing Viasat for our new deliveries was an important step as Airshare enters our next phase of growth."

Airshare is strategically expanding its revolutionary fractional ownership program beyond its core markets in the central United States, with plans to begin serving customers on the East Coast in the near future. Airshare's days-based program appeals to both business and leisure travelers seeking to maximize their efficiency and productivity, making in-flight connectivity a key ingredient of the overall service.

"We've entered an exciting relationship with Airshare, and the Viasat Select service plans will deliver the best connectivity performance in business aviation while optimizing operations for predictable budgets," added Claudio D'Amico, Viasat's business area director, Business Aviation. "With Airshare's sharp focus on customer service and an exceptional in-flight experience, we look forward to supporting the new fleet's connectivity requirements now and into the future."

Today, Viasat's Ka-band satellite network covers over 90 percent of business aviation routes. The Company's next generation ViaSat-3 constellation is a trio of satellites that are expected to provide near global coverage, and will offer Airshare additional capacity to meet its expanding connectivity needs.