Boosted by Increased Awareness and a Recovering Economy, Newest Generation of Inflight Connectivity Systems Finding Their Way Aboard Business Aircraft

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND [EBACE 2011] – May 16, 2011 –- As EBACE 2011 opens this week, Aircell, the world’s leading provider of inflight connectivity, reports the demand for inflight connectivity services has risen noticeably in recent months in the European business aviation market.

A number of things are seen as contributing to the boost in activity, including increased market understanding and awareness, the advent of a new generation of connectivity products and services, and a recovering world economy.

Operating facilities worldwide, including 10 in Europe, Jet Aviation is one of Aircell’s authorized aftermarket dealers. “Interest for inflight connectivity is definitely on the rise – we’re fielding more inquiries, giving more proposals, and performing more installations,” said Florent Feltrin, Regional Sales Director South-Western Europe at Jet Aviation MRO EMEA.

Jean-Luc Rosenfeld, Aircell’s European Sales Manager, said, “In many cases, we’re finding that operators simply aren’t aware of what the industry’s newest generation of equipment and service packages have done to increase capabilities and decrease cost. A prime example is the new Aviator 200 system, which provides global email, light Internet & voice service from an equipment package costing around $60,000. Since the system uses a small, low-gain antenna, it also eases certification requirements and reduces installation complexity, making it very well received in Europe,” concluded Rosenfeld.

Related updates on Aircell’s inflight connectivity products & services in Europe:

• Very popular in the OEM market, Aircell’s Aviator 300, powered by Thrane & Thrane, has now been selected for 12 factory airframe programs, including those at Bombardier Aerospace, Cessna Aircraft Company, Hawker Beechcraft Corporation and Gulfstream Aerospace.
• Aftermarket certifications for Aviator-series products have recently been achieved on the King Air 200, Citation CJ1 and Bombardier Challenger series. Additional certification programs are currently underway for the Falcon 2000EX, Falcon 2000LX, Embraer Legacy, Beechcraft King Air 350, Cessna Citation XLS, Gulfstream IV, and DC-8 aircraft.
• Demand for Iridium-based inflight capabilities also continues to be strong in Europe. With small, light and affordable equipment, Iridium is still an unmatched value for global voice and narrowband data services.
• Aircell introduced the Aircell Smartphone in April and it has received an enthusiastic response in Europe. With first shipments in the coming months, it will allow passengers to place and receive voice calls as easily and conveniently as they do on the ground. In addition, its flexible Android OS platform sets the stage for a nearly unlimited set or rich-media features and functions in the future.

Aircell is displaying its entire inflight connectivity range at EBACE 2011 in Geneva this week, stand #1735. There will be a significant number of aircraft on static that have one or more Aircell connectivity systems aboard, allowing attendees to see them up close. Aircell will also be tweeting from the show – follow @AircellBizav by visiting www.twitter.com/aircellbizav.

New Aircell Smartphone will Provide the Best Voice Quality in Aviation and Set New Standards for Ease of Use

RENO, NV [AEA International Convention & Trade Show] – March 23, 2011 -– Aircell, the world’s leading provider of inflight connectivity, today unveiled the Aircell® Smartphone, a next-generation cabin handset designed specifically for business aircraft. With intuitive, menu-driven features, the Aircell Smartphone allows passengers to place and receive voice calls aboard business aircraft as easily and conveniently as they do with mobile phones on the ground. In addition, its flexible Android OS platform sets the stage for a nearly unlimited set of rich-media features and functions in the future. First shipments are scheduled for late 2011.

Among a host of groundbreaking capabilities, the new Aircell Smartphone will provide the best voice quality in aviation through a number of embedded technologies and design features. At 3.8” diagonally, the Aircell Smartphone’s bright, color touchscreen display is the largest the aviation industry has ever seen in a telephony device. It exceeds the size of most consumer smartphones on the market today.

“The result of extensive industrial design and human factors study, the Aircell Smartphone epitomizes the notion of next-generation inflight communications. It gives passengers exactly what they want – the best-sounding, best-looking and easiest-to-use handset in aviation,” said
John Wade, Aircell’s Executive Vice President & General Manager, Business Aviation Services. “We’ve received extraordinary feedback from all corners of the industry on this achievement, and we look forward to bringing it to market later this year.”

Key Benefits & Features
1. Designed specifically for aircraft use, from the ground up
2. Big, bright, 3.8” color touchscreen display – the largest in the industry
3. Flexible, future-minded Android OS platform
4. Bluetooth-compatible for hands-free operation
5. Ingenious design for interchangeable wireless or wired operation
6. High-touch design with expert use of colors, materials & finishes
7. So easy to operate, no user manual is required
8. Drop-in replacement for current Aircell Axxess flush-mount handsets
9. Integrated audio jack for wired headsets & earbuds
10. Fully certified

The Aircell Smartphone will be backward-compatible with all Aircell Axxess communications systems currently in production, and available as a drop-in replacement for the company’s prolific Aircell Axxess flush-mount handset. It will also be fully compatible with the company’s
forthcoming Gogo Biz™ Voice service via the ATG 4000 and ATG 5000 systems. Shipments of the new Aircell Smartphone are scheduled to begin in late 2011 and pricing will be announced prior to that time.