Satellite firm SES's revenue jumps 80% as airplane connectivity gains momentum

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Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES on Tuesday reported first-quarter results in line with market expectations and reiterated its yearly guidance, as it flagged strong momentum in its aviation and European infrastructure businesses.

Revenue was 847 million euros ($996 million) in ​the ⁠quarter, up 80% year-on-year at constant currency. The company signed ⁠306 million euros worth of new business and contract renewals over the three-month period.

The aviation business was a ​standout performer, CEO Adel Al-Saleh said in a statement, with commitments secured for more than 40 long-haul aircraft for ​Japan Airlines.

SES and Boeing also reached ⁠a milestone toward a factory line-fit solution for the multi-orbit system ⁠across all Boeing aircraft models, he said.

"During the quarter, our Aviation business benefitted ‌from nearly 600 aircraft now ​flying with the SES multi-orbit inflight connectivity system, delivering fast, dependable internet ⁠access to millions of passengers," Al-Saleh said.

On the European infrastructure front, ‌SES and the European Union Agency for the ​Space ‌Programme extended the EGNOS GEO-1 satellite service agreement through 2030, helping maintain ‌high-precision navigation services for aviation and ⁠other ⁠critical users across Europe.

SES also continues to progress through orders for the IRIS² programme, working closely with the European Commission to validate project cost, technical requirements and delivery timelines.

The company said ​it remained committed to the European Union's vision for a sovereign ⁠space-based connectivity ‌infrastructure.

($1 = 0.8508 euros)

(Reporting by Leo Marchandon ​in ‌Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)

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