Thales AVANT IFE Selected For Qatar Dreamliners | New Managing Director for KID | AERQ Joins Hamburg Aviation | Sustainable Aero Lab | Carlisle IT Receives EASA STC

Thales

Qatar Airways is upgrading its Boeing B787-8 fleet with Thales’s AVANT IFE. The IFE system features an innovative, New Generation user experience unique to Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing and highly acclaimed airlines in the world, consistently earning a 5-Star rating by Skytrax. With a fleet of the latest-generation aircraft and an unrivaled level of service, Qatar Airways has a steadfast vision to provide the best in-flight experience to its passengers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline remained unwavering in its commitment to upgrade the current fleet of Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner with Thales AVANT inflight entertainment (IFE) system. If your dream is to soar in the skies as a pilot, it’s indispensable to have the best flight training in order to achieve that dream.

Qatar Airways has been eager to replicate the innovative AVANT experience on their Boeing B787-8 aircraft without disrupting the utilization of the fleet and minimizing down time during the retrofit installation. To achieve this ambition, Thales has developed an upgrade program to adapt the existing legacy system to incorporate new AVANT screens and servers into the existing seats and aircraft infrastructure. This turnkey approach includes delivery of full seat modification, hardware and all required certifications, as well as the ability to leverage media integration commonality across the Qatar Airways’ fleet equipped with AVANT.

Qatar Airways Senior Vice President, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Ms. Salam Al Shawa, said: “As a leader of innovation within the global aviation industry, we are always looking for ways to further enrich our already exceptional 5-Star on board experience for passengers. With the latest in-flight technology, including lightweight screens, greater content storage and full HD touch screens, we are delighted to work with Thales in bringing the most advanced AVANT IFE system on board our Boeing 787-8 fleet.”

Upgrading to AVANT IFE on the Boeing B787-8 fleet introduces the latest High Definition (HD), capacitive touch screen technology enabling passengers to seamlessly navigate the graphical user interface (GUI) using familiar gestures from their smartphone or tablet. The lightweight screens are two to three times brighter than the former technology, featuring more than 16 million colors for a brilliant viewing experience.

The AVANT system offers a large selection of features and applications with high capacity servers to store over a terabyte of industry leading media content including the latest HD movies, TV show episodes and music collections. Business class passengers will enjoy 17” Full HD touch screens; the main cabin will feature the same high quality experience with 12” smart displays.

“Qatar Airways continues to be a leader in the recovery of the aviation industry, maintaining a paramount commitment to service and to the enrichment of the passenger journey. Together we have developed a turnkey upgrade program with a seamless customer experience and continued installation despite the crisis. With the AVANT IFE system, passengers on Qatar Airways Boeing B787-8 aircraft will enjoy a 5-star experience.” Philippe Carette, Chief Executive Officer, Thales Inflyt Experience.

KID Systeme

KID-Systeme GmbH, a subsidiary of the Airbus Group, announces a change in its multi-member Board with the appointment of Stefan Stolzki as Managing Director.

Currently Head of Customer Services for Cabin Electronics at Airbus Operations and KID-Systeme, Stolzki takes over the position from Peter Schetschine with immediate effect.

KID is managed in a dual leadership set-up. Next to Fokke Mentjes, Stefan Stolzki will be responsible for the overall revenue generation including business development, product line management, sales, customer program management, marketing communications and events.

Stolzki is a graduate of the University of Applied Sciences in Lübeck, Germany. After graduating in Industrial Engineering, he held various senior management positions in Logistics and Customer Service at Satair and Airbus Operations.

“I am very excited to be named Managing Director. KID-Systeme was created by the insight and innovative thinking of aerospace visionaries, and has been built into a customer centric team of cabin experts. I look forward to shaping the future with the team and our network, including the Board of Directors, customers, our industry partners, and especially the people working here who dedicate themselves to the success of KID every day.”, Stolzki said.

KID-Systeme belongs to the Cabin and Cargo family within the Airbus Group, its product portfolio encompasses seat power, cabin and cargo safety features as well as on-board connectivity products and services.

AERQ

AERQ announced that the joint venture between LG Electronics and Lufthansa Technik has joined the Hamburg Aviation Network. AERQ is headquartered in Hamburg and has the goal to improve and evolve the digitalization of the cabin experience with an innovative digital ecosystem. Lufthansa Technik, one of AERQ’s parent companies, is a founding member of Hamburg Aviation. Hence, it was a logical conclusion to become a member of the cluster.

The location Hamburg has developed a leading global position in the field of cabin systems. The presence of cabin expertise at the site is carried to the world not least through the AIX trade fair and the Crystal Cabin Award. It is not only a matter of maintaining the level, but also of exploiting further potential in order not to relinquish global leadership.

“AERQ contributes to Hamburg Aviation’s value chain by providing airlines with cabin solutions that allow them to tap into new business models, drive ancillary revenues and generate operational efficiencies,” said Arnd Kikker, Managing Director at AERQ. “Our hardware, software and data solutions drive the aircraft cabin’s digitalisation, which is another competence field of Hamburg Aviation.”

“The alliance of the city, companies, science and associations creates added value for all players through trusting and efficient cooperation for an innovative aviation location and for the mobility and jobs of tomorrow. We are happy that AERQ with its innovation power has decided to be part of the Hamburg Aviation cluster. Both sides will profit from the collaboration,” said Ulf Weber, Managing Director at Hamburg Aviation.

“Although it is a challenging time for our industry, we believe that it can be an opportunity, too. We feel that especially now given the current circumstances digital and passenger centric products will flourish. In the meantime, our OLED-based Transparent Class Divider concept was shortlisted for the Crystal Cabin Award 2020 and we are planning on participating at the next AIX, too,” said Sang Soo Lee, Managing Director at AERQ.

Sustainable Aero Lab

The aviation industry has historically been the most innovative when facing crises. While global air travel is still severely challenged by the COVID19 pandemic, another game-changing crisis can already be outlined today: In the next decades, the effects of climate change will dramatically influence aviation and its business models. At the same time, this development poses a great opportunity for the aviation industry to regain a revolutionary state of mind, unlocking new fields of technology, business and cooperation.

To support and accelerate this transition of aviation on a global scale, numerous partners and initiatives from Hamburg have joined ranks to form the Sustainable Aero Lab. The new lab will be a global fast track program for startups and projects that can prove their tangible impact on reducing the climate footprint of aviation.

Sustainable Aero Lab to Drive Industry Discussion and Serve as Acceleration Network for Startups

To achieve this, the Sustainable Aero Lab will globally bring together startups, experienced mentors, investors and industry players into one room where founders receive highly focused feedback in a transparent live session four times a year. The first session will be held virtually in February 2021.

The Sustainable Aero Lab also strives to be an international agenda-setter for discussing the relevant issues and questions around the sustainable transformation of aviation, with all stakeholders involved.

Mentors at Sustainable Aero Lab: Leading Individuals from Aviation, Green Tech and Finance

Mentors at Sustainable Aero Lab comprise of world-leading experts from aviation, green tech, and finance. The Sustainable Aero Lab invites individuals with relevant background and experience to help the startups, and will ask for limited time commitment only. Exchange between the mentors is a key benefit even for partners from big corporations.

While the selection process is still ongoing, the Sustainable Aero Lab team is honored to, among others, have already secured the commitment of industry executive Nico Buchholz (former Lufthansa EVP Fleet Management & SVP at Bombardier), renowned aviation analyst at Leeham Company Bjorn Fehrm, long-time Bombardier innovation director Fassi Kafyeke, Ampaire SVP of Global Operations Susan Ying (also formerly Boeing, COMAC), and ex-Facebook director and venture capitalist Christian Hernandez Gallardo as mentors.

Hamburg-Based Initative with Global Scope

The Sustainable Aero Lab is a project driven by Hamburg-based Density Ventures and its CEO Stephan Uhrenbacher, a renowned serial entrepreneur and investor (most prominently: founder of Qype, Avocadostore, 9flats), who also serves as CEO of the Lab. As associated partners, the Hamburg Aviation cluster network, and ZAL Center of Applied Aero Research will also contribute significantly to the new initiative. The Sustainable Aero Lab is supported by the Hamburg Ministry of Economics and Innovation (BWI), and funded through the Hamburg Investment and Development Bank (IFB).

Michael Westhagemann, Hamburg’s Senator for Economics and Innovation:

“The sustainable change that the aviation industry is facing will come with many new opportunities. To unlock these, we need open discussions and higher speed. The Sustainable Aero Lab will put its focus on exactly these points. As one of the world’s leading aviation sites, Hamburg strives to be a leading place for the development of sustainable aviation technologies as well.”

Open for Startup Submissions and Further Lab Partners

The Sustainable Aero Lab is actively scouting for founders and innovators who desire to be part in the first cohort of the Lab. Selected startups will receive A level mentoring on their most pressing objectives. The Lab will not ask for any shares, repositioning or generic pitches. Detailed information on the selection criteria and the application process can be found on www.sustainable.aero.

All individuals, institutions and companies who would like to contribute to the Sustainable Aero Lab in other forms are encouraged to get in touch as well. As a platform for open innovation, the Sustainable Aero Lab is looking to welcome anyone who can add value towards reducing the climate footprint of aviation.

Carlisle IT

Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (CarlisleIT), a division of Carlisle Companies (CSL), is pleased to announce the award of a new Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the European Aviation Safety Association (EASA) for installation of Satellite and Communication (SATCOM) provisions on Airbus A320 series aircraft.

EASA STC 10075259 installs all aircraft structural provisions, outside aircraft equipment and electrical integration packages for the Honeywell JetWave Ka system. The installation package is certified for application on A319, A320, and A321 aircraft, using CarlisleIT’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM) approved solution. CarlisleIT provided all design, qualification, approvals and certification resources associated with the STC. The kits are manufactured at CarlisleIT’s Franklin, Wisconsin factory.

“CarlisleIT’s extensive certification experience, including 202 STCs and 100 VSTCs, ensures that any equipment installation is completed safely and in compliance with airworthiness regulations, regardless of location,” said Chris Rawley, product line manager, aircraft connectivity solutions at CarlisleIT. “This STC opens the door for our European customers to take advantage of an existing, qualified SATCOM installation solution for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft.”

CarlisleIT leads the market in aerospace SATCOM applications, with over 2500 installations delivered worldwide. From component manufacturing to fully integrated engineered solutions, CarlisleIT has the capability and flexibility to support its customer needs.