Beijing, Shanghai and Lake Forest, CA | July 24, 2014– In a first for the commercial aviation industry in China, China Eastern Airlines (CEA) has begun offering broadband connected flights over China using China Telecom Satellite aeronautical service and Panasonic Avionics Corporation’s (Panasonic) eXConnect system.

The first of 27 CEA aircraft equipped with a system and service tailored to the unique requirements of China is an Airbus A330 aircraft. Onboard, passengers will experience true broadband Wi-Fi as they surf the web, keep in touch with friends and family through their social networks, and even check their email – all at 35,000 feet. CEA has also selected China Telecom Satellite’s service and Panasonic’s eXConnect system for an additional six B767s and 20 B777 aircraft.

The first aircraft has been dedicated to routes between Shanghai and Beijing, allowing government agencies to observe operation of the service before granting full regulatory approval for operation on additional domestic and international routes.

China Eastern Airlines said, “We are very excited to offer this extremely exciting service with China Telecom Satellite and Panasonic Avionics. This is an tremendous milestone for China and we look forward to ensuring our passengers are both entertained and productive as they fly.”

Lv Junli, President of China Telecom Satellite added, “This is a momentous day for China’s commercial airline industry, and we are very confident of providing better broadband connectivity to China with our partners at China Eastern Airlines and Panasonic.”

According to Paul Margis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics, “After years of close collaboration with China Eastern Airlines and China Telecom Satellite, we are now witnessing the next step in the evolution of in-flight entertainment over China. We are very excited to bring in-flight broadband Wi-Fi to this strategic market.”

Lake Forest, CA | December 23, 2013– Panasonic Avionics has signed a definitive agreement with China Telecom Satellite Communications Limited to jointly develop, implement and support in-flight connectivity solutions for Chinese airlines.

The agreement will also make possible the provision of in-flight broadband connectivity to Panasonic’s 39 customer airlines when flying into and over China. As part of the agreement China Telecom Satellite will operate a teleport in Beijing, China to service the aeronautical broadband service for Panasonic.

Now the new teleport is ready for service and will launch the service commercially following the final approval from the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

Panasonic Avionics’ eXConnect system uses its global Ku-band aeronautical satellite network to deliver inflight broadband connectivity, enabling passengers to access the internet, compose and send email or log onto their favorite social media sites.

Paul Margis, CEO of Panasonic Avionics, says: “Over the past six months since we announced the MOU with China Telecom Satellite, we have made great progress and now have completed the cooperation agreement. Now we are collectively ready to begin this very important service to our airline customers and their passengers. This is a very important accomplishment and we thank China Telecom Satellite for their excellent contribution.”

Lv Junli, President of China Telecom Satellite, says: “We are very pleased to announce this great milestone of progress with our partner Panasonic. We are very pleased to work with Panasonic to provide inflight communications to both international and Chinese airlines.”

The parties plan to begin offering inflight connectivity services as soon as all necessary approvals are in place.