Winning business with Emirates would be an important endorsement for Elon Musk’s product because the carrier is the biggest international airline and is globally recognised for its premium service.
For now, though, the United Arab Emirates isn’t among the countries that authorise the use of Starlink, according to the company, so the deal would require the government to reverse that policy. The internet service also isn’t certified for Emirates’ marquee jet: the double-decker A380.
Emirates and SpaceX didn’t reply to requests for comment.
Qatar Airways was the first carrier in the region to offer Starlink, beginning last year. The Gulf’s No 2 airline is making the product available in its Boeing 777 models and has started retrofitting Airbus A350 jets.
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SpaceX has pitched Starlink to Gulf Air and Flydubai, and closed a deal with Saudi Arabia’s flagship airline Saudia, Bloomberg reported in August.
During US President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia in May, Musk said the kingdom would authorise Starlink for aviation and maritime use.
Bahrain and Jordan already allow the service, and Lebanon’s Cabinet granted Starlink a licence for internet services.
