[SatNews] European and international travelers passing through Heathrow and Gatwick airports will be able to buy the latest satellite handheld phones, now available at retail stores in both busy airports.

This follows signing a commercial partnership between the UAE-based mobile satellite operator Thuraya and Europe’s leading airport retailer Dixons Travel. The availability of Thuraya’s handhelds which include the world’s toughest satellite phone, the XT, in the two airports will facilitate access to reliable mobile satellite services especially for travelers going to places and areas where terrestrial telecom services are unavailable or inadequate. The handhelds are designed to meet the needs of vertical market sectors such as oil and gas, mining, agriculture, maritime, NGOs, government, large corporates as well as individual users and frequent travelers. Thuraya has over 310 agreements in 145 countries which include 128 roaming agreements in Europe in 60 countries.