OnAir Bolsters North American Presence

APEX Annual Conference, Seattle, 12 September 2011 — OnAir has strengthened its North American operation with the appointment of Richard Nordstrom as Managing Director for North America.

Ian Dawkins, CEO of OnAir, said, “Richard’s main priority is to develop OnAir’s business in North America and he joins us at an interesting time. It is now very clear that passengers welcome inflight connectivity and North American airlines recognize they need a satellite connection if they are going to provide passenger connectivity on international flights. And I very much hope the US will soon catch up with the rest of the world and allow inflight mobile phone services. Mobile OnAir and Internet OnAir are offered by 12 airlines, operating from six continents, and we haven’t seen a single problem arising from people using their phones. The US position is making them less competitive with fast growing international airlines outside the US.”

Nordstrom is a veteran of the satellite communication market for both the air transport and maritime sectors. In maritime, he was Sales and Marketing Director at Connexion by Boeing and a strategic consultant to satellites providers for their aviation market. He was instrumental in the development of underwater wireless communications systems and their integration with surface systems, and managed a national VHF telecoms network buildout for the US Coast Guard and maritime industry.

Nordstrom said, “It is clear now, that passenger connectivity will become mainstream, and that OnAir, which is unique with its global reach, is very well placed to build on its position as the leading global inflight connectivity services provider. Engaging the US market is integral to ensuring we retain our position and I am very much looking forward to the challenge.”

OnAir’s US office is in Seattle, WA. The company headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland and other offices are in Dubai, London and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.