Gogo Launches 5G Network

Welcome to Aviation Newsletter, your go-to podcast for the latest updates in the world of aviation. I’m Claire. This podcast is brought to you by the dedicated team at Starrime. We’re excited to bring you the latest news, insights, and stories from the skies. Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, a frequent flyer, or just curious about what’s happening in the industry, you’re in the right place. Feel free to share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section. If you prefer to follow along in Chinese, we’ve got you covered—our podcast is available in both English and Chinese. So, without further ado, let’s dive into today’s newsletters.1.https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-12-29/capabilities-confirmed-gogo-launches-5g-networkWith Capabilities Confirmed, Gogo Launches 5G NetworkDecember 29, 2025Gogo has confirmed that its 5G air-to-ground (ATG) connectivity network is ready to go for North American customers. Confirmation comes after completing more than 30 hours of flight tests across nearly 20 routes to prove that its 5G tower network will deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity to operators flying in North America.During testing, the network provided broadband speeds of more than 80 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, allowing streaming and internet browsing simultaneously. Gogo has onboarded its first paying customer, and a further 450 pre-provisioned aircraft are set to begin service next month.“We talk a lot about milestones, and this is really an exceptional one for Gogo,” according to CEO Chris Moore. “While we have had delays, we are now focused on delivering a brand-new broadband ATG service to our customers that will satisfy data-hungry flyers within North America as they access streaming services on the new ATG service.”Gogo added that 28 supplemental type certificates have been secured for the installation of the 5G system, and another five are anticipated to be completed by the end of this year. This will cover all major aircraft types operating in the Continental U.S., spanning a possible 7,500 aircraft. Available 5G service plans range from $3,500 per month for 25 GB to $8,000 per month for unlimited data (including 50GB of Galileo satcom data).2.Lufthansa Technik Launches VIP Upgrade Program for ACJ318 Elite Airbus Jet | Aviation International NewsLufthansa Technik Launches ACJ318 Elite Upgrade ProgramDecember 29, 2025Lufthansa Technik has introduced a dedicated upgrade program for the ACJ318 Elite Airbus corporate jet, offering a range of cabin and technical enhancements to modernize the smallest members of Airbus’ A320 family. The company’s VIP Center of Excellence in Hamburg will certify and deliver the modifications, which include both cosmetic and system-level refurbishments.The new upgrade options include refreshed veneers, carpets, and upholstery, as well as replacements of the in-flight entertainment architecture. High-definition screens, upgraded speakers, and a modernized cabin management system are available, while connectivity can be enhanced through a low-earth-orbit satcom solution by Airbus Corporate Jets. The LEO ACJ Connect Link system leverages Gogo Galileo’s full duplex terminal to deliver onboard internet performance.ACJ president Chadi Saade said the partnership ensures customers benefit from “the most advanced connectivity options,” while Lufthansa Technik vice president Fabian Nagel pointed to a need to address both technological obsolescence and wear accumulated over more than a decade of service.Originally outfitted by Lufthansa Technik between 2007 and 2015, the ACJ318 Elite features an airliner-width fuselage with separate dining, lounge, and office zones, along with a private bath and bedroom. Although the 19-passenger layout was largely standardized, the manufacturer noted that expectations for materials, interior styling, and onboard connectivity have evolved significantly.3.https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2026-01-01/faas-bvlos-overhaul-approaches-finish-lineFAA’s BVLOS Overhaul Approaches Finish LineJanuary 2, 2026With the FAA now deep into its review of public comments on a long-anticipated proposal to allow routine beyond-visual-line-of-sight, or BVLOS, drone operations, 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the U.S. drone industry—and potentially for aviation more broadly.The new rulemaking, which could be finalized as early as the end of the first quarter of 2026, is designed to enable scaled, routine drone operations without the need for individual waivers or exemptions.If approved, it would represent the most consequential shift in U.S. drone policy since 2016, when the FAA introduced Part 107, the first comprehensive framework for commercial small UAS operations. That rule allowed only daylight flights within visual line of sight, with BVLOS operations handled on a case-by-case basis.Under the FAA’s proposed rules, operators would be able to conduct routine BVLOS flights below 400 feet, using drones weighing up to 1,320 pounds, without seeking special approvals.The proposal would replace today’s waiver-based system with a unified, risk-based regulatory framework, developed in coordination with the Transportation Security Administration. It is intended to support applications ranging from package delivery and agriculture to aerial surveying, public-interest operations, training, and flight testing.To do this, the FAA proposes creating two new regulatory sections: Part 108, covering operational requirements for uncrewed aircraft, and Part 146, establishing certification pathways for third-party services such as automated data providers and uncrewed traffic management systems.The rule has drawn more than 3,000 public comments from across the aviation ecosystem, underscoring just how central BVLOS capability is to the future of drone and low-altitude operations in the United States.4.http://www.caac.gov.cn/English/News/202512/t20251224_229562.htmlCAAC Releases Two Mandatory National Standards for UAVDecember 24,2025Recently, the "Requirements for Real-Name Registration and Activation of Civil Unmanned Aircraft" and the "Specifications for the Identification of Civil Unmanned Aircraft System Operations," prepared under the organization of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), have been approved and released by the State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration of China). These two mandatory national standards will officially take effect on May 1, 2026, promoting a safer, healthier, and more orderly development of the industry.In recent years, alongside the rapid development of China's low-altitude economy-related industries, the civil unmanned aircraft industry has grown swiftly, playing an increasingly important role in driving economic restructuring and transformation and promoting economic and social development. According to the "2024 Statistical Bulletin on Civil Aviation Industry Development" released by CAAC, in 2024, nearly 20,000 entities had obtained UAV operation certificates, the number of registered UAV exceeded 2 million, and the cumulative annual flight hours within the statistical scope surpassed 26 million hours, with a maximum of 26,000 UAVs simultaneously in the air. To further enhance the safety of unmanned aircraft operations, CAAC took the lead in formulating the "Requirements for Real-Name Registration and Activation of Civil Unmanned Aircraft" and the "Specifications for the Identification of Civil Unmanned Aircraft System Operations" to ensure the lawful and compliant operation of civil unmanned aircraft. These standards implement the requirements stipulated in national laws and regulations for UAVs to actively transmit identification information, to enable reliable monitoring of their operations. The audio and content of this podcast shall not be used for AI model training or any other purposes. That’s all for this episode of Aviation Newsletter. Thank you for listening. Podcast by Priscilla. Sound Edited by Luna. Aviation Newsletter is brought to you by the Starrime team. You can catch our podcast on all major podcast platforms. We also look forward to seeing your comments. See you soon.