• The solution helps improve situational awareness for pilots and saves resources for airlines.
• Since its introduction in 2018, the company has seen an average annual adoption rate of 42% for SB-S.
• SB-S is also crucial to the “Iris” program, a satellite-based communication system co-developed with the European Space Agency for air traffic management.

Shares of satellite-based internet communications provider Viasat, Inc. (VSAT) are in the spotlight on Tuesday after the company's SwiftBroadband-Safety service reached a significant milestone of being deployed in the cockpits of 1,000 airplanes, reflecting an uptick in demand for its solutions in the aviation industry.

At the time of writing, VSAT stock was up more than 10% and on track for its best one-day percentage gains in a month.

Why Does SwiftBroadband-Safety Matter?

SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S) is a flight deck solution that, among other things, supports communications with Air Traffic Control and assists an airline operator with engine monitoring, fuel efficiency, real-time weather, telemedicine, and preventive maintenance. The solution helps improve situational awareness for pilots and saves resources for airlines.

“This milestone underscores the excitement for SB-S as airlines continue to look for proven, certified connectivity to improve flight safety and operational performance – including reduced fuel consumption, lower emission, and improved on-time performance,” said Joel Klooster, Senior Vice President, Aircraft Operations & Safety at Viasat.

“As the service continues to grow, SB-Safety is building a durable base of long-term value for both our aviation customers, and for Viasat.”

The company said it expects SB-S to be in service on more than 1,200 airplanes by the end of the year. Since its introduction in 2018, the company has seen an average annual adoption rate of 42% for SB-S.

According to the company, SB-S is also crucial to the “Iris” program, a satellite-based communication system co-developed with the European Space Agency for air traffic management.

What Retail Thinks About VSAT

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment toward the VSAT stock remained in ‘bullish’ territory over the last 24 hours. Many users on the platform cheered the stock’s rally in the current trading session.

VSAT stock has more than doubled in value so far this year and has risen nearly ninefold over the past 12 months, outperforming the benchmark S&P Index.

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