Iridium Communications Inc. has agreed to acquire the remaining 61% equity interest in Aireon LLC for $366.7 million, according to an announcement made on May 14, 2026.
Aireon, a joint venture initially formed by Iridium and NAV CANADA in 2011, develops a satellite-based global air traffic surveillance system. The technology uses ADS-B receivers hosted on Iridium’s NEXT satellite constellation to track aircraft in real time over oceanic, polar, and remote regions previously beyond ground-based radar coverage.
The venture expanded in 2013 with investments from air navigation service providers including ENAV of Italy, the Irish Aviation Authority, and Naviair of Denmark, totaling $120 million in new equity. NAV CANADA’s investments, made in tranches from 2012 through 2017, reached up to $150 million, potentially giving it 51% ownership while Iridium held 49%.
Iridium’s NEXT satellites, launched via eight SpaceX Falcon 9 missions between 2017 and 2019, host the Aireon payloads, enabling 100% global coverage. The acquisition will consolidate Iridium’s control over the system, which supports air traffic management worldwide.