Letter from the Editor & Publisher:

Dear IFExpress Readers,

After 30 years of publishing weekly in the inflight entertainment & communication space, we have decided to close IFExpress. Consequently, this will be the last issue you receive in your in-box. We did not reach this decision lightly but due to a series of health issues and a myriad of other factors, we determined this was the best course of action. Both Terry and I would like to thank you all for the many years of camaraderie. We wish you all the best in your endeavors as we embark on the next phase of our future. – Patricia Wiseman

Well, time is up for my IFEC news support and I would like to say “Thank You” to all my tech readers and friends. I will be 80 in a couple months and it is just time to take it easy after some 30 years of IFEC news. Besides, I need to work on the rest of my life! Thanks everybody! Terry Wiseman


Anuvu

Anuvu announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with Skillshare, the world’s largest online learning community for creativity, to distribute the platform’s content across maritime and aviation markets.

The partnership, which excludes U.S.-based airlines, adds a new layer of content diversity to Anuvu’s media library. It offers travelers exclusive online learning resources beyond the streaming video on demand (SVOD) platform’s paywall. For the maritime market, specifically, Anuvu’s partnership with Skillshare brings crews new and compelling educational opportunities while at sea for extended periods of time. Effective immediately, passengers and crews will be able to access Skillshare’s online learning content and community spanning topics ranging from lifestyle, entrepreneurship and personal development to creative writing and branding. The initial content includes “Build Your Business and Brand: Translating Your Passion Into a Plan,” a Skillshare Original led by designer, founder and author Rebecca Minkoff, among many others.

“Passengers today have a different set of priorities than in the past. There is a growing desire to blend work and leisure when traveling, creating a strong demand for learning content. As such, we are excited to partner with Skillshare to deliver premium classes to our customers,” said Estibaliz Asiain, Anuvu SVP Media & Content. “This partnership showcases the unique buying power that Anuvu has with entertainment studios because of our leading market share in both maritime and aviation, ultimately benefiting our customers with unique content and competitive pricing.”

“Due to the nature of the industry, maritime crews often spend weeks to months at sea at any given time, with very little access to media and entertainment. With the addition of Skillshare to our media and content offering, Anuvu is addressing a critical need in the market centered on enhancing crew welfare aboard private and commercial vessels,” said Erik Carlsen, Anuvu SVP of Commercial for Maritime, Energy and Government (MEG). “We are thrilled to partner with Skillshare to bring educational and skills development opportunities to crews around the globe.”

Skillshare is the world’s largest online learning community for creatives. Members get unlimited access to thousands of inspiring classes taught by industry leaders and working professionals, on topics including illustration, design, photography, and more. Members around the world love Skillshare for discovering inspiration, learning new skills, and putting their talents to work in ways they care about. The partnership is a crucial next step in Anuvu’s strategy to transform the media and content industry across the global mobility market.

“We are thrilled to work alongside Anuvu to bring Skillshare’s online learning community to aviation and maritime passengers at a time when interest in creative focused learning and development content is in high demand,” said Scott Sullivan, Skillshare Director of Brand Partnerships and Business Development. “At Skillshare we know creativity can be a source for good and growth in peoples’ lives, and we look forward to partnering with Anuvu to help drive that creative spark in all travelers.”

Non U.S.-based airlines and maritime clients interested in adding Skillshare to their content lineup can contact Anuvu to learn more.


Cobham Satcom

Cobham Satcom continues to expand its innovative next generation SAILOR XTR portfolio with the introduction of two new Ka-band antenna systems for Telenor Satellite’s THOR 7 VSAT services.

The one-meter SAILOR 1000 XTR Ka and 65-centimeter SAILOR 600 XTR Ka leverage Cobham Satcom’s most advanced VSAT technology platform to secure high availability of broadband service on the THOR 7 satellite, used for a full range of network applications including big data management in the cloud architecture.

With Cobham Satcom’s new SAILOR XTR Ka antennas, end-users will be even better positioned to secure a return on their investment in digital operations. Vital applications including online catch reporting for regulatory and commercial reasons, Vessel Performance Monitoring for reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions as well as predictive maintenance systems to help reduce non-productive time, can all provide greater value when the connectivity they need to operate reliably, keeps pace with the ever-growing demand for data.

SAILOR XTR benefits including simplified installation, easy remote access for streamlined monitoring and support, and the best radio frequency performance for maximized throughput ensure that SAILOR 1000 XTR Ka and SAILOR 600 XTR Ka unlock the full capabilities of THOR 7 for end-users that understand the positive value of data to their operations.

Further, SAILOR 1000 XTR Ka and SAILOR 600 XTR Ka are prepared for future developments in the maritime satcom landscape, giving users the option to migrate to current and future networks on Ka or Ku-band frequencies and all communication satellite orbits. Thanks to its innovative features combined with a new antenna feedhorn and a new dual-pol, wideband Ka-band transceiver available in 4.5W and 9W variants for SAILOR 600 and 1000 XTR Ka, the SAILOR XTR platform can deliver this unmatched flexibility.

“THOR 7 has enabled hundreds of European vessels to deliver business and crew welfare applications, movie streaming, adopt digital operations and the Internet of Things for more efficient operations and business, and we are confident that our new SAILOR XTR powered Ka-band antennas will unlock even more ways to work safer, reduce operational costs and limit a vessel’s environmental impact, by securing more reliable data connectivity on Telenor Satellite’s dedicated European VSAT network,” said Jens Ewerling, Product Manager, Cobham Satcom.

“We are delighted to see Cobham Satcom complementing its XTR product family with the new RF transceiver package supporting dual-polarisation and wide-band Ka. To our customers, these antennas represent a seamless transition to the latest technology, while maintaining the hassle-free installation, reliable operation and performance they have come to appreciate,” said Jan Hetland, Director Data Services, Telenor Satellite.

First delivery of the SAILOR 1000 XTR Ka and the SAILOR 600 XTR Ka antennas, which are designed as a replacement of previous generation SAILOR VSAT Ka antennas for THOR 7, is expected from the Cobham Satcom warehouse in Rotterdam during Q4 2022.


Samarkand International Airport

Following extensive testing, Samarkand International Airport has launched the first E-gate border control system in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The E-gate software and hardware system, developed by an Uzbekistan company under contract with the border troops of  the State Security Service of Uzbekistan, allows safe and uninterrupted processing of arriving passengers.

The automated border control system is based on biometric technologies and provides for automatic identification of the person and allows for a quick and safe border crossing with minimal involvement of border control officers. 

Gayrat Nematov, General Director of airport management company Air Marakanda LLC, said:

“Air Marakanda provides the most advanced technologies in the new terminal of Samarkand airport that meet international standards, so the implementation of such a project as E-gates is a logical solution for any modern transport facility. We are interested in the fact that the latest equipment allows passengers to minimize the time of passing all the necessary procedures. In aviation, the most important principles are safety and comfort, and such a project meets these requirements as much as possible.”

As part of the border control system, the technology expands the system’s capabilities and can be used at air, road, sea and pedestrian checkpoints.

After extensive testing, the Border Control Unit of the State Security Service chose to install the system at Samarkand International Airport. The system incorporates document readers, and high-resolution video cameras that carry out video surveillance and comparison of passengers’ biometric data with an identity document. Border Control and Air Marakanda have developed measures against unauthorized passage and algorithms to ensure single passage, recognition of luggage and items left unattended. The project is expected to increase the tourism potential by speeding the flow of passengers through passport control, while making the process more comfortable and convenient for visitors and eliminating the potential for human error.

Boeing

Boeing delivered two satellites for leading global content connectivity service provider SES to their launch site in Cape Canaveral, Florida, ahead of the upcoming launch of the twin spacecraft on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket.

“SES-20 and SES-21 are the first commercial satellites we’ve delivered since the start of the global pandemic,” said Ryan Reid, president of Boeing Satellite Systems International. “It was challenging, but we found ways to be responsive to emerging customer demands and timelines. As a result, we went from contract signing to delivery of two satellites in little over two years.”

The pair of all-electric 702SP (small platform) satellites are equipped with C-band payloads that will operate over the continental United States and help usher in the Federal Communications Commission’s 5G Fast initiative, which requires satellite operators such as SES to transition services from the lower 300 MHz to the upper 200 MHz of C-band spectrum for 5G mobile services.

The new Boeing satellites are designed and intended to enable SES’s continued delivery of its C-band broadcast and radio services as well as critical data networks services in the coming months. SES-20 and SES-21 are the 14th and 15th satellites built by Boeing for SES.

“The delivery of SES-20 and SES-21 marks yet another big milestone for our C-band spectrum clearing project in the U.S. Thanks to our trusted and long-term partner Boeing, we remain on track to migrate our customers to these new satellites so that we can continue to provide services seamlessly without disruptions,” said Ruy Pinto, Chief Technology Officer at SES.

SES-20 and SES-21 went through rigorous environmental testing at Boeing’s satellite factory in El Segundo, California, including vibration, thermal vacuum, electromagnetic interference and acoustic testing. After arriving at their launch site in Cape Canaveral, Florida, the satellites will be encapsulated in their payload fairing for launch. They’ve already been integrated into a dual-launch configuration platform built by Boeing.

“This will be our third dual-launch configuration of 702SPs, so it’s a proven way to get more to orbit, and faster, for our customers,” said Jim Peterka, Boeing’s SES-20 and SES-21 program manager.

Boeing has delivered more than 300 satellites to commercial and government customers globally, and continues to build adaptable satellites to meet changing business cases and fulfill even the most demanding missions.


Worldwide Low Cost Airlines Industry Forecast

The “Low Cost Airlines Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.

The global low cost airlines market reached a value of US$ 172.54 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach a value of US$ 302.85 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.83% during 2021-2027.

Companies Mentioned

  • Air Arabia PJSC
  • Alaska Airlines Inc.
  • Capital A Berhad (Tune Group Sdn Bhd)
  • easyJet plc
  • Go Airlines (Wadia Group)
  • IndiGo
  • Jetstar Airways Pty Ltd (Qantas Airways Limited)
  • Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA
  • Ryanair Holdings PLC
  • Southwest Airlines Co.
  • SpiceJet Limited
  • Spirit Airlines Inc.
  • WestJet Airlines Ltd.

Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.

Also known as budget airlines or no-frills carriers, low cost airlines offer fewer amenities for short-haul than conventional full-service airlines. These airlines are affordable, but they charge separately for each item, such as food, beverages, prior boarding, carry-on baggage and car rental services, to generate non-ticket revenues.

They also use single type aircraft with minimum equipment to reduce weight, acquisition and maintenance costs while increasing fuel efficiency. They operate at less congested secondary airports to reduce airport fees, air traffic, delays and ground time between flights.

A significant rise in domestic travel and tourism represents one of the key factors bolstering the market growth. Moreover, the leading airline companies offer tickets directly via the telephone or the internet and eliminate the role of third-party agencies, which reduces the cost of transactions and services.

This, in confluence with the widespread adoption of ticketless travel and the growing internet penetration, is contributing to the market growth. Furthermore, these airlines operate via point-to-point nonstop flights that aid in reducing travel time and enabling better aircraft utilization.

In addition to this, the increasing focus of business travelers on minimizing travel time and costs is influencing the market positively. The emphasis of the market players on providing discounted fares to early reservations while enhancing passenger connectivity is driving the market further.

However, the decline in the number of commercial flights on account of the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and several measures undertaken by governing agencies to prevent the spread of the pandemic is negatively influencing the market. The market will experience growth once restrictions on traveling are lifted.

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

  • How has the global low cost airlines market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
  • What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global low cost airlines market?
  • What are the key regional markets?
  • What is the breakup of the market based on the purpose?
  • What is the breakup of the market based on the distribution channel?
  • What is the breakup of the market based on the destination?
  • What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?
  • What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?
  • What is the structure of the global low cost airlines market and who are the key players?
  • What is the degree of competition in the industry?

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xw2dsr


Canada Jetlines

Canada Jetlines Operations Ltd. (NEO: CJET) (“Canada Jetlines”) the new, all-Canadian, leisure airline, has received its air operating certificate (AOC) from Transport Canada, granting approval to initiate operations out of its travel hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

Securing the AOC confirms that Canada Jetlines has all required professional capabilities and adheres to all safety regulations needed for aircraft operations. Canada Jetlines looks forward to its inaugural flight and will be releasing new destinations and updated scheduling shortly.

“The entire team at Canada Jetlines is thrilled to obtain our AOC after meeting all necessary operation standards and passing all inspections,” shared Eddy Doyle, CEO of Canada Jetlines. “We thank Transport Canada and greatly appreciate the tireless effort and diligence they undertake to approve new airlines. We excitedly look forward to our launch date, meeting the increased demand for convenient, leisure travel in Canada and beyond and to provide more options to explore the world.”

Visit Jetlines.com to learn more and book reservations and vacation packages with your preferred travel agent. Follow Canada Jetlines on all social media platforms and follow #CanadaJetlines for the latest news and updates.


Aircraft Electrification Global Market Research

The “Aircraft Electrification Market Research Report by Component, Technology, Platform, System, Application, Region – Global Forecast to 2027 – Cumulative Impact of COVID-19” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.

The Global Aircraft Electrification Market size was estimated at USD 5,738.48 million in 2021, USD 6,606.72 million in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 15.38% to reach USD 13,542.31 million by 2027.

Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies to help the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. It describes the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth during a forecast period.

FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Aircraft Electrification Market based on Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.

Market Share Analysis:

The Market Share Analysis offers the analysis of vendors considering their contribution to the overall market. It provides the idea of its revenue generation into the overall market compared to other vendors in the space. It provides insights into how vendors are performing in terms of revenue generation and customer base compared to others. Knowing market share offers an idea of the size and competitiveness of the vendors for the base year. It reveals the market characteristics in terms of accumulation, fragmentation, dominance, and amalgamation traits.

The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyze penetration across mature segments of the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, certification, regulatory approvals, patent landscape, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/82tqzw

ANUVU

Anuvu, the leading provider of high-speed satellite connectivity and entertainment solutions for demanding worldwide mobility markets, today announced it has acquired Signal Mountain Networks, a leading provider of satellite communications to the U.S. Government.

With the acquisition, Anuvu is expanding its existing government business and unlocking new revenue streams by leveraging Signal Mountain’s prime contractor status and 20-year history of delivering mission-critical solutions. Signal Mountain’s position on key contracting vehicles for government agencies, plus its strong history of exemplary customer service, broaden Anuvu’s potential avenues for growth.

Signal Mountain designs, implements, and supports sophisticated satellite communication systems, MPLS, and wireless network solutions. The company serves a variety of customers, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA, the U.S. Army, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“We are thrilled to welcome the Signal Mountain team to Anuvu. They are a trusted partner to U.S. Government agencies, and we look forward to continuing that very successful relationship,” said Josh Marks, Anuvu CEO. “Given the long-term commercial partnership between Signal Mountain and Anuvu, this acquisition is the next natural step in our continued growth.”

Anuvu initially plans to organize Signal Mountain under Anuvu Operations, a wholly owned subsidiary.

“We are extremely pleased to become part of Anuvu and look forward to capitalizing on our combined resources to meet the communication needs of the U.S. Government,” said Jonathan Huffman, who founded the company in 2001 and served as CEO. Huffman will assume a leadership role within Anuvu.


TURKISH TECHNIC

Turkish Technic, a leading provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for commercial and government operators, has signed a ten-year global repair license agreement with Honeywell for Air Data Inertial Reference Unit (ADIRU) of Boeing 737MAX, 737 Next Generation (NG) and 787. Under the terms of the agreement, Honeywell will supply subparts to Turkish Technic, and Turkish Technic will operate as the Authorized Global Service Center for Honeywell’s ADIRU components, providing repair services for its local and international customers.

Expanding the Channel Partnership between both parties, the new agreement supplements Turkish Technic’s existing Honeywell license agreements that cover GTCP131-9A/B APUs (Auxiliary Power Units), CFM56-7B HMUs (Hydro Mechanical Units), Boeing 737MAX, 737 NG APU Starter-Generators and hundred more Honeywell Mechanical and Avionic LRUs (Line Replaceable Units). As the Authorized Service Center for ADIRU components of Boeing 737MAX, 737 Next Generation and 787, Turkish Technic will provide extensive repair and component pool services for its customers.

On the signing of the agreement, CEO of Turkish Technic, Mikail Akbulut stated: ‘‘While cementing our long-standing partnership with Honeywell, this new agreement will allow us to support Boeing 737MAX/NG and 787 operators for their ADIRU needs with our expert and proven component repair and overhaul facilities on two continents. As we continue to further increase our service portfolio offered to operators worldwide and increase our capabilities to boost our market share, we are glad to expand our cooperation further with Honeywell as a strategic partner.”

Commenting on the new agreement, Uygar Doyuran of Honeywell, President Turkiye, Israel and Central AsiaTurkish Technic is a global aviation MRO hub, serving the most important airlines in the world with next-generation technology. As Honeywell, we are very happy to work with Turkish Technic as a strategic partner in the region. We believe that our cooperation will become stronger with this new agreement.”

Operating as a one-stop MRO company with high-quality service, competitive turnaround times, comprehensive in-house capabilities at its state-of-the-art hangars, Turkish Technic provides maintenance, repair, overhaul, engineering, modification, tailor-made PBH and reconfiguration services to many domestic and international customers at five locations.

Honeywell Aerospace creates a range of hardware and software solutions that are found on virtually every commercial, defense and space aircraft, including aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless connectivity systems, mechanical components and more.


FRANCE ENDS COVID TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

France has become the latest country to lift its pandemic-era travel restrictions, including proof of vaccination or negative Covid test.


AVOLON

Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, announces that it has agreed a transaction with Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), owner of Malaysia Airlines, for the financing of 20 A330-900neo aircraft. The transaction comprises the placement of 10 A330neo aircraft from Avolon’s orderbook and 10 A330neo aircraft to be acquired from MAG via sale and leaseback.

The aircraft will deliver from 2024 onwards and be powered by Rolls-Royce engines. Avolon has a longstanding relationship with MAG and currently has 4 aircraft on lease to MAG. Avolon was a launch customer of the A330neo in 2014 and has a total of 48 A330neo aircraft in its portfolio, with 26 owned and managed, and 22 on order. Following this transaction, Avolon has only two unplaced A330neo in its orderbook.

Malaysia Airlines is Malaysia’s national airline and wholly owned by the Malaysian Government. Malaysia Airlines currently operates a fleet of 97 narrowbody and widebody aircraft.

The transaction was announced today in Putrajaya, Malaysia and led by Malaysian Minister for Transport, YB Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong.

Andy Cronin, Avolon CEO Designate, commented: “Today’s announcement builds on our longstanding relationships with industry leaders such as MAG, Airbus and Rolls-Royce, and we are delighted to partner with them to deliver a unique portfolio solution that will support MAG’s operations and business growth. As the Asian aviation market continues to emerge from the pandemic, this A330neo transaction will help MAG renew its fleet and position them to capitalize on market recovery. The enhanced fuel-efficiency and performance, as well as the unit cost improvements of the A330neo compared to older generation aircraft, will allow MAG to meet the growing demand for air travel in the region – further strengthening their position as one of the leading carriers of choice in the Asia Pacific market.

As previously disclosed, we are experiencing a rapid recovery in demand for our orderbook slots for both our single and twin-aisle new technology aircraft, and we are delighted to partner with MAG on this milestone transaction.”


OTHER NEWS


Gogo Announces Record Results and Updates 2022 Guidance

Gogo Inc. (“Gogo” or the “Company”), the world’s largest provider of broadband connectivity services for the business aviation market, announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2022.

Q2 2022 Highlights

  • Gogo announced its plans to launch the first low earth orbit (“LEO”)-based global broadband service in business aviation (“Global Broadband”) using an electronically steered antenna designed with Hughes Network Systems and a LEO satellite network operated by OneWeb.
  • Record total revenue of $97.8 million increased 19% compared to Q2 2021 fueled by strong growth in both service and equipment revenue.
    • Record service revenue of $73.1 million increased 13% compared to Q2 2021 and 3% compared to Q1 2022.
    • Equipment revenue of $24.8 million increased 41% compared to Q2 2021 and 12% compared to Q1 2022.
  • Total ATG aircraft online (“AOL”) reached 6,654, an increase of 10% compared to Q2 2021 and 2% compared to Q1 2022.
    • Total AVANCE units online grew to 2,893, an increase of 40% compared to Q2 2021 and 7% compared to Q1 2022. AVANCE units comprised more than 43% of total AOL as of June 30, 2022, up from 34% as of June 30, 2021.
  • Average Monthly Revenue per ATG aircraft online (“ARPU”) of $3,328 increased 1% compared to Q2 2021 and was flat versus Q1 2022.
  • Net income from continuing operations increased to $22.0 million compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $66.4 million in Q2 2021, primarily due to a loss on extinguishment of debt and settlement of convertible notes of $79.6 million recorded in Q2 2021.
    • Basic earnings per share from continuing operations in Q2 2022 was $0.18. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was $0.17.
  • Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $41.2 million, which includes $1.2 million of expenses related to Global Broadband, increased 12% compared to Q2 2021 and decreased 4% compared to Q1 2022.
  • Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations of $26.4 million in Q2 2022 increased from cash used in operating activities of $15.0 million in the prior year period primarily due to the timing of interest payments.
    • Free Cash Flow(1) was $15.5 million compared with negative $24.7 million in the prior year period due to the timing of interest payments partially offset by an increase in capital expenditures primarily tied to Gogo 5G.
    • Cash and cash equivalents totaled $164.0 million as of June 30, 2022 compared to $152.8 million as of March 31, 2022.

“Customer excitement is growing as we prepare for the launch of Gogo 5G, which will provide a 5-10x bandwidth improvement for current Gogo customers,” said Oakleigh Thorne, Chairman and CEO. “With the announcement of our Global Broadband initiative, we continue to leverage our AVANCE platform to provide an easy upgrade path for aircraft of all sizes to further boost performance and expand our addressable market.”

“The strength of the BA market combined with solid execution drove record performance in the quarter, positioning us well for continuing revenue and Free Cash Flow growth,” said Barry Rowan, Gogo’s Executive Vice President and CFO. “Based on our continuing strong performance we are raising several key elements of our guidance, including 2022 revenue; 2022 Adjusted EBITDA at the high end of our range in spite of $9 million in strategic investments and litigation expenses; and our long-term revenue growth rate, based on the contribution from our Global Broadband initiative.”

Updated 2022 Financial Guidance

The Company updates its guidance for 2022 as follows:

  • Total revenue at the high end of the previously guided range of $390 million to $400 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA(1) at the high end of the previously guided range of $150 million to $160 million, which includes a combined $9 million of estimated litigation expenses and estimated operating expenses for Global Broadband, which were not reflected in the initial 2022 guidance range.
  • Free Cash Flow(1) of $35 million to $45 million, which includes capital expenditures of approximately $65 million of which approximately $50 million are tied to Gogo 5G (no change to prior guidance).
Updated Long-Term Financial Targets

The Company updates its long-term targets as follows:

  • Revenue growth at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 17% from 2021 through 2026, with Global Broadband contributing to revenue beginning in 2025 (versus prior target of approximately 15% which excluded Global Broadband).
  • Annual Adjusted EBITDA Margin(1) approaching 50% in 2026, up from the low 40%’s in 2022 and 2023 (no change to prior target).
  • Free Cash Flow(1) of approximately $110 million in 2023, reflecting $10 million of operating expenses tied to Global Broadband, and an aggregate $5 million of additional interest expense and legal expenses tied to the SmartSky litigation that were not included in the previously announced Free Cash Flow target of $125 million. The Company reiterates its target for Free Cash Flow of over $200 million beginning in 2025.

Free Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA in 2022 and 2023 do not reflect the potential impact of Gogo 5G timing.

The Company’s 2022 financial guidance and long-term targets include Global Broadband but do not reflect the impact of other new strategic investments or the Federal Communications Commission’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program, as the Company awaits further information regarding whether Congress will appropriate additional funds for eligible expenditures under the Program.


JetBlue Expands Transatlantic Service with Highly Anticipated First Flight from Boston Landing at London Gatwick

JetBlue announced it has officially launched service from Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS) to London’s Gatwick Airport (LGW). JetBlue’s daily nonstop service is part of the airline’s focus city strategy and its long-term transatlantic growth plans. London was the largest nonstop market not currently served by JetBlue from Boston and is among the most requested destinations from the airline’s large Boston customer base.

Last year, JetBlue launched its first-ever transatlantic service from New York-JFK to both Heathrow and Gatwick, London’s largest and busiest airports. The carrier plans to grow its transatlantic presence this year with new service from Boston Logan to London’s Heathrow Airport, launching September 20, 2022, and an additional Gatwick departure from New York starting October 29, 2022. Between JetBlue’s New York and Boston focus cities, the airline will offer five daily flights between the U.S. and the U.K. by October.

“Our London service from New York has been an incredible success and we are thrilled to finally bring this highly anticipated service to our Boston customers, a route that has long suffered from high fares by legacy carriers,” said Robin Hayes, chief executive officer, JetBlue. “As Boston’s largest carrier, adding this nonstop service to Gatwick will only make us more relevant in our New England focus city and introduce JetBlue to a largely unserved market.”

“We are excited to welcome JetBlue’s first transatlantic service from Boston to London Gatwick,” said Massport CEO, Lisa Wieland. “We thank JetBlue for their continued partnership, and we look forward to the additional travel opportunities this will generate for our passengers.”

“We are thrilled that JetBlue is launching nonstop service between London and Boston. Visitors from the United Kingdom represent our top overseas source market,” said Martha Sheridan, Greater Boston CVB President & CEO. “Rebuilding this segment will be critical to the overall recovery of our visitor economy. We share many historical and cultural bonds with the UK and are so excited that JetBlue is investing in this route, which will surely be a great success!”

“We are delighted to welcome the launch of JetBlue’s new service between Boston and London. Demand for travel to the UK has returned to pre-pandemic levels, and the additional connectivity from Boston, a vital US market, will make it even easier for Americans looking to book their next trip over. As we head into the beautiful Autumn season, whether visitors are returning or discovering the UK for the first time, now is the perfect time to explore another side of Britain, filled with buzzing cities, exciting outdoor adventures, and iconic landmarks with a modern twist,” said Paul Gauger, VisitBritain’s Senior Vice President for the Americas.

Get to Know Gatwick

Gatwick is the second busiest U.K. airport and JetBlue operates from the North Terminal, which has a range of passenger facilities, including a wide variety of shops and restaurants. Gatwick travelers benefit from a choice of convenient transport options including direct train links to Central London’s Victoria Station via the Gatwick Express and to stations across London via Thameslink and to Brighton and other South East coastal communities via Southern Railway.

JetBlue offers an enhanced airport experience at Gatwick with expedited security screening available to select JetBlue customers. The airline’s Even More® Speed option is now automatically included for Mint® customers, TrueBlue Mosaic® customers and Mosaic companions traveling on the same reservation, customers who have purchased a Blue Extra fare and for customers who have purchased an Even More Space seat. Applicable customers at Gatwick should follow signs for “Premium Security.”

“The addition of JetBlue’s Boston route is fantastic news for passengers and businesses across London and the south-east. Boston is not only a wonderful city to visit on holiday – playing a key role in American history – but is renowned as a thriving center for scientific research, innovation and technology. The wider state of Massachusetts is also a world leader in higher education, with Harvard University one of several top institutions,” said Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, Gatwick Airport. “With Gatwick’s direct train links to Cambridge – also known for its top university and as a hub for tech and bioscience industries – as well as more local businesses, this new connection will provide great opportunities for the whole region and beyond.”


Canada Jetlines Change Launch Date

Canada Jetlines Operations Ltd. the new, all-Canadian, leisure airline, has announced a change to the date of inaugural flights out of Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Winnipeg (YWG) and Moncton, New Brunswick (YQM).

The inaugural flights originally scheduled for August 15, 2022, have been tentatively rescheduled for August 29, 2022, subject to receipt of final licensing approval. Canada Jetlines is working closely with Transport Canada (“TC”) and Canadian Transportation Association, who are currently evaluating all completed documentation required for this application. The carrier looks forward to welcoming Canadian travellers before the end of the summer season.

“We’ve made the difficult decision to change our launch date as we continue to work with the regulatory authorities in Canada to secure our AOC,” shared Eddy Doyle, CEO of Canada Jetlines. “We greatly appreciate the effort and diligence that TC goes through to approve new airlines and remain optimistic throughout the process. We will continue to build strategic partnerships with destinations, travel agencies, and airports as we build out our five-year strategy.”

Canada Jetlines will be offering launch special fares available for a limited time for flights out of its travel hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to domestic destinations Moncton, NB (YQM) and Winnipeg, MB (YWG). To book ticket reservations or vacation packages, visit Jetlines.com and plan with your preferred travel agent. Follow Canada Jetlines on all social media platforms and follow #CanadaJetlines for the latest news and updates.

Tickets are being sold pursuant to an exemption from the application of section 59 of the Canada Transportation Act. This exemption allows Canada Jetlines to sell tickets for air travel prior to issuance of its license. Canada Jetlines air service is subject to the Canadian Transportation Agency’s approval, and all prospective passengers will be informed, before a reservation is made or a ticket is issued, that the air service is subject to the Canadian Transportation Agency’s approval.


Other News:

Eutelsat And OneWeb

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) and key OneWeb shareholders have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the objective of creating a leading global player in Connectivity through the combination of both companies in an all-share transaction. Eutelsat will combine its 36-strong fleet of GEO satellites with OneWeb’s constellation of 648 Low Earth Orbit satellites, of which 428 are currently in orbit.

The transaction would be structured as an exchange of OneWeb shares by its shareholders (other than Eutelsat) with new shares issued by Eutelsat, such that, at closing, Eutelsat would own 100% of OneWeb (excluding the ‘Special Share’ of the UK Government). OneWeb shareholders would receive 230 million newly issued Eutelsat shares representing 50% of the enlarged share capital[4].

The potential transaction builds on the deepening collaboration between Eutelsat and OneWeb, begun with the equity stake acquired by Eutelsat in OneWeb in April 2021, the global distribution agreement between Eutelsat and OneWeb announced in March 2022, and the new exclusive commercial partnership[5], addressing mainly the European and global cruise markets, signed today.

Commenting on the combination, Dominique D’Hinnin, Eutelsat’s Chairman said “I am delighted to announce this new and significant step in the collaboration between Eutelsat and OneWeb. Bringing together our two businesses will deliver a global first, combining LEO constellations and GEO assets to seize the significant growth opportunity in Connectivity, and deliver to our customers solutions to their needs across an even wider range of applications. This combination will accelerate the commercialisation of OneWeb’s fleet, while enhancing the attractiveness of Eutelsat’s growth profile. In addition, the combination carries significant value creation potential, anchored on a balanced mix of revenue, cost and capex synergies. The strong support of strategic shareholders of both parties is a testament to the huge opportunity that this combination offers and the value that will be created for all its stakeholders. This is truly a game changer for our industry.”

Sunil Bharti Mittal, OneWeb’s Executive Chairman said Having played a pioneering role in providing connectivity in the emerging world, I am excited about the possibilities of connecting the unconnected. The combination of Eutelsat and OneWeb represents a significant development in that direction as well as a unique GEO/LEO combination. The positive early results of our service together with our strong pipeline represent a very exciting opportunity in the fast-growing satellite connectivity segment, especially for customers requiring a high speed, low latency experience. Our customers are actively seeking a combined GEO/LEO offering leading us towards this important step. Bharti, as the lead shareholder of OneWeb, along with other key shareholders, is looking forward to playing a meaningful role in providing expanded connectivity through the combination of OneWeb and Eutelsat.”

Eva Berneke, Eutelsat’s Chief Executive Officer said “Our initial investment in OneWeb was underpinned by our strong belief that the future growth in Connectivity will be driven by both GEO and LEO capacity. This belief has intensified as our relationship with OneWeb has deepened, first by raising our stake in the company, and then with the global distribution agreement signed a few months ago. We are now moving to the next level, with a full combination that will ensure the potential of the GEO/LEO integration is fully realized, supported by compelling financial, strategic, and industrial logic. This ground-breaking combination will create a powerful global player with the financial strength and technical expertise to accelerate both OneWeb’s commercial deployment, and Eutelsat’s pivot to Connectivity. The combined entity will be geared towards profitable growth, with strong medium-term cash flow generation and a rapid deleveraging driven by strong forecast EBITDA growth. The benefits for our customers and strategic partners, who are at the center of our strategy, are both significant and unique. This is also a very exciting opportunity for our employees who will be key to the success of this transformation.”

Neil Masterson, OneWeb’s Chief Executive Officer said “Just 20 months ago, OneWeb resumed its mission to connect the unconnected and remove the barriers to connectivity that hold back many of the world’s underserved economies and communities. Since then, we have turned this vision into reality and become the second largest low Earth orbit satellite operator in the world. Today’s announcement is another bold step in OneWeb’s remarkable journey. It is testament to the resilience, execution and innovation of our teams, the strong demand we have seen since launching our commercial services, and the close collaboration we have forged with our partners to provide high-speed, low latency connectivity for governments, businesses, and communities. This combination accelerates our mission to deliver connectivity that will change lives at scale and create a fast growing, well-funded company which will continue to create significant value for our shareholders.”

A compelling market opportunity

Eutelsat and OneWeb will address the considerable Connectivity market opportunity, which is fueled by the growing needs of customers in both the B2B and B2C segments for consistent, reliable connectivity. These market segments are forecast to grow by three and five times respectively over the next decade, to reach a combined value of circa $16bn by 2030, with growth being served by both GEO HTS and LEO capacity[6].

Moreover, the combination of the network density, compelling economics and high throughput of GEO with the low latency and ubiquity of LEO, creates the optimal solution to address an even wider range of customer needs, thereby expanding the addressable market.

A powerful combination, representing a game-changer in the industry

The operations of Eutelsat and OneWeb are highly complementary. A clear roadmap has been designed to develop over time a complementary GEO/LEO service including a common platform, hybrid terminals and a fully mutualized network creating a one-stop shop solution for customers, providing them with a unique offering and a seamless user experience.


Boeing to Open Japan Research Center and Expand Sustainability Partnerships

Boeing will strengthen its partnership with Japan by opening a new Boeing Research and Technology (BR&T) center. The facility will focus on sustainability and support a newly expanded cooperation agreement with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

Boeing and METI have agreed to broaden their 2019 Cooperation Agreement to now include a focus on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), electric and hydrogen powertrain technologies, and future flight concepts that will promote zero climate impact aviation. That is in addition to exploring electric and hybrid-electric propulsion, batteries, and composite manufacturing that will enable new forms of urban mobility.

“We are excited to open our latest global research and technology center here in Japan,” said Greg Hyslop, Boeing chief engineer and executive vice president of Engineering, Test & Technology. “Working with terrific partners like METI, the new center will expand upon Boeing-wide initiatives in sustainable fuels and electrification, and explore the intersection of digitization, automation and high-performance aerospace composites for greater sustainability in our future products and production systems.”

The BR&T – Japan Research Center will be located in Nagoya, which is already home to many of Boeing’s major industrial partners and suppliers. The facility will further expand Boeing’s research and development footprint in the region, which includes centers in Australia, China and Korea.

Boeing is fully committed to supporting Japan’s SAF industry and has been accepted as the latest member of ACT FOR SKY, a voluntary organization of 16 companies that works to commercialize, promote and expand the use of SAF produced in Japan. It was founded by Boeing airline customers All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL), along with global engineering company JGC Holdings Corporation, and biofuel producer Revo International.

Masahiro Aika, representative of ACT FOR SKY, said, “ACT FOR SKY welcomes the participation of Boeing. We look forward to Boeing collaborating with the other members to “ACT” for the commercialization, promotion and expansion of SAF in Japan.”

In addition to becoming partners in ACT FOR SKY, Boeing has a long history of innovating with ANA and JAL on sustainable aviation, which includes pioneering SAF-powered flights and launching the ground-breaking 787 Dreamliner. Today, they signed agreements to work together to study advanced sustainable technologies, including electric, hybrid, hydrogen and other novel propulsion systems in an endeavor to reduce the carbon footprint of aircraft.

Boeing Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Raymond added, “To ensure the enormous societal benefits of aviation remain available for generations to come, we must continue to partner with capable innovators and leaders to support the industry’s commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. We are humbled to join ACT FOR SKY and collaborate with other members to share global best practices and help with the scale up and demand of SAF in Japan. And we are honored to open the Japan Research Center and expand our work with airline customers ANA and JAL on advanced technologies to realize zero climate impact aviation.”


JetBlue and Spirit

JetBlue Airways Corporation (“JetBlue”) (NASDAQ: JBLU) and Spirit Airlines, Inc. (“Spirit”) (NYSE: SAVE) today announced that their boards of directors have approved a definitive merger agreement under which JetBlue will acquire Spirit for $33.50 per share in cash, including a prepayment of $2.50 per share in cash payable upon Spirit stockholders’ approval of the transaction and a ticking fee of $0.10 per month starting in January 2023 through closing, for an aggregate fully diluted equity value of $3.8 billion1 and an adjusted enterprise value of $7.6 billion.

“We are excited to deliver this compelling combination that turbocharges our strategic growth, enabling JetBlue to bring our unique blend of low fares and exceptional service to more customers, on more routes,” said Robin Hayes, chief executive officer, JetBlue. “We look forward to welcoming Spirit’s outstanding Team Members to JetBlue and together creating a customer-centric, fifth-largest carrier in the United States. Spirit and JetBlue will continue to advance our shared goal of disrupting the industry to bring down fares from the Big Four airlines. This combination is an exciting opportunity to diversify and expand our network, add jobs and new possibilities for Crewmembers, and expand our platform for profitable growth.”

“Combining with Spirit will give JetBlue an even larger platform to deliver on our mission to inspire humanity,” said Peter Boneparth, chair of the board, JetBlue. “With the best Crewmembers and Team Members in the industry, our Board and leadership team look forward to building long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders as an even stronger, more competitive low-fare airline.”

Ted Christie, president and chief executive officer, Spirit, said, “We are thrilled to unite with JetBlue through our improved agreement to create the most compelling national low-fare challenger to the dominant U.S. carriers, and we look forward to working with JetBlue to complete the transaction. Bringing our two airlines together will be a game changer, and we are confident that JetBlue will deliver opportunities for our Guests and Team Members with JetBlue’s unique blend of low fares and award-winning service. We especially appreciate the commitment of our Spirit Family throughout this process. Today’s exciting announcement reflects JetBlue’s admiration for Spirit and a shared belief in what the combined airline can bring for our Guests.”

 

Southwest Airlines Launches World’s First Flight Tracker with Destination Reels from FlightPath3D

FlightPath3D, the leader in moving map technology, announces that Southwest Airlines has successfully upgraded to its new inflight moving map – an all-in- one virtual world where passengers can use augmented reality and watch short-form videos to connect the flight journey with their destination.

The inflight experience captivates passengers with a 3D map of the route and virtual reality views of the flight deck, window, and aircraft. The world’s first inflight Destination Reels application is an immersive travel guide loaded with mobile-friendly, short-form videos for all 118 Southwest® destinations. This ground-breaking experience for Southwest passengers is:

Immersive – see a view that pilots get with a virtual flight deck, window, or walk on a beach in Miami

Personal – explore destinations based on interests with video playlists such as nature, architecture, or instagrammable hot spots

Savable and Shareable – you can build your own itinerary, save it, and share it

Smart – the aircraft model is a 3D digital rendition of the specific Southwest aircraft you’re flying on

Mobile First – zoom around a 3D world or swipe through thousands of destination reels on your mobile device

“More than one-third of all time spent in the Inflight Portal is the flight tracker and destination guide and we know our Customers enjoy this feature while onboard,” said Tony Roach, Vice President Customer Experience & Engagement at Southwest Airlines. “We are excited to be the launch airline for this Flight Tracker with Destination Reels, delivering exclusive short video destination content directly to our Customers as we continue to enhance our Customer Experience through the various touchpoints in their journey.”

FlightPath3D is putting its full force behind its latest innovation called Destination Reels so that passengers can immediately get a vibe for any destination. Watch the top 100 experiences trending in San Francisco or choose a playlist to see the most photogenic, family-friendly, or must-see museums. After browsing the built-in lists, passengers may decide to build, organize, and map their own itinerary with the trip planning feature. Southwest is the launch airline to integrate the new Destination Reels experience.

“There is a gap between the on-board experience and what consumers are used to with the latest Internet apps such as Instagram, TikTok, etc. We’ve created a virtual 3D world to track the flight packed with a feed of thousands of destination videos to bridge this gap,” said Duncan Jackson, President of FlightPath3D. “We’re using data science to rank attractions and help match user interests to destination experiences to promote more travel.”


News From Farnborough:

AerCap

Boeing and AerCap Holdings N.V. (“AerCap”) announced that the global lessor is growing its substantial 787 Dreamliner portfolio with an order for five additional 787-9 jets.

AerCap now has 125 787 Dreamliners in its portfolio or on order. The world’s largest 787 customer, AerCap continues to invest in the 787 family, which has received more than 700 repeat orders from 47 customers across the globe. The 787 has been the most-utilized widebody throughout the pandemic due to its efficiency, capacity and capability.

Aviation Capital Group

Boeing and Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG) at the Farnborough International Airshow announced the aircraft lessor is growing its 737 MAX portfolio with an order for 12 additional 737-8 jets. As the travel market recovers, ACG is increasing its 737-8 offering to meet airline demand for modern, fuel-efficient, and sustainable operations. The order was previously unidentified on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website.

This announcement will see ACG expand its 737 MAX order book to 34 airplanes, building upon an order for nine 737-8s in May 2022. Boeing is seeing strong market demand for the 737 MAX family, with more than 1,000 gross orders across all models since late 2020.

Delta Air Lines

Boeing and Delta Air Lines announced the U.S. carrier will modernize its single-aisle fleet with the highly efficient 737 MAX to meet demand as well as its long-term sustainability goals. In a signing ceremony at the Farnborough International Airshow, the companies said Delta is ordering 100 737-10 jets – selecting the largest member of the 737 MAX family – with options for an additional 30 airplanes.

The 737-10 will provide Delta Air Lines with the best per-seat economics of any single-aisle Boeing model, reducing fuel use and emissions by 20-30 percent compared to the airplanes it replaces. The jet can cover 99% of single-aisle routes around the world, seating up to 230 passengers with a maximum range of 3,300 nautical miles.

ANA Holdings

Boeing and ANA HOLDINGS, the parent company of All Nippon Airways (ANA), held a signing ceremony today at the Farnborough International Airshow to formalize an order for 20 737-8 airplanes, with 10 options in addition to the airline’s selection of the new 777-8 Freighter. ANA is the first 737 MAX customer in Japan and first carrier in Asia to choose the 777-8 Freighter. The order was previously unidentified on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website.

With commonality and enhanced efficiency, the 737-8 will enable ANA to optimize its fleet across its operations while reducing fuel use and carbon emissions by 20% and noise by 50% compared to airplanes it replaces. The 737 MAX family has the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines, advanced technology winglets and other aerodynamic enhancements to improve performance and reduce operating costs. More than 40 airlines globally are operating the 737 MAX, which has made over 680,000 revenue flights totaling nearly 1.7 million flight hours since late 2020.

ANA has converted two orders for the 777-9 passenger jet to the 777-8 Freighter. With the new freighter, ANA will be able to carry up to 10 tonnes more payload and fly further than the 777 Freighter with at least a 10% improvement in fuel efficiency, emissions and operating costs per tonne. Featuring the world’s largest composite wing and more efficient engines, the new 777-8 Freighter is ideally suited for operators committed to creating a more sustainable and profitable future. The 777-8 Freighter will interline seamlessly with ANA’s existing 777 Freighter fleet, using the same containers and pallets.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines has firmed up orders for 12 A220-300 aircraft, bringing Delta’s total firm order for A220s to 107 aircraft – 45 A220-100s and 62 A220-300s. The A220s will be powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines.

Delta took delivery of its first Airbus A220 in October 2018, and was the first U.S. carrier to operate the aircraft type. As of the end of June 2022, Delta was operating a fleet of 388 Airbus aircraft, including 56 A220 aircraft, 249 A320 Family aircraft, 57 A330s and 26 A350-900 aircraft.

The A220 is the only aircraft purpose-built for the 100-150 seat market, bringing together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation GTF™ engines. The A220 brings customers a 50% reduced noise footprint and up to 25% lower fuel burn per seat and CO2 emissions compared to previous generation aircraft, as well as around 50% lower NOx emissions than industry standards.

With 220 A220s delivered to 15 airlines operating on four continents, the A220 is the optimal aircraft for regional as well as long-distance routes. To date, 60 million passengers have enjoyed the A220. The fleet is currently flying on over 700 routes and 300 destinations worldwide. As of the end of June 2022, over 25 customers have ordered 760+ A220 aircraft – confirming its breakthrough on the small single-aisle market.


Latitude Aero

Latitude Aero, a global aircraft seating overhaul provider, is thrilled to announce the re-launch of its website, www.latitude-aero.com. The company has been operating since 2015 and has updated its branding toreflect new and growing service offerings.

The site features a clean, functional, and user-friendly design with a multinational focus. New language translation geared toward international customers that make up 40% of Latitude’s business will make accessing service and product
information easier for Mandarin and Arabic-speaking clients. Language translation is also in the works for Spanish and
Portuguese.

Originally borne from an industry need for in-seat power and entertainment retrofitting, the company has developed and
expanded to offer turn-key seat refurbishment, seat repair, deep cleaning, and contract maintenance for large-fleet
operators. Their customer list now includes SKYTRAX Top 50 airlines, governmental Head of State, university and
professional sport teams, and other high net worth companies and individuals.

“A new website was overdue,” says Kelvin Boyette, President & CEO of Latitude Aero. “What we have just launched is
reflective of where we’ve expanded geographically, and where we’ve expanded in our sector with regards to capabilities.”
To debut the re-vamp, Latitude Aero invited visitors to explore the new website in their largest exhibition stand to date at Aircraft Interiors Expo. AIX is the world’s largest and most premier aviation trade show, hosted in Hamburg, Germany in
June.

Latitude Aero is a global aircraft seating overhaul provider that specializes in the repair and refurbishment of aircraft
seating components, to provide economically viable solutions for cabin upgrades of any scope. We help airlines modernize
aircraft and expertly provide contract maintenance, parts manufacturing, deep cleaning, and repair services. Latitude is a growing company headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, and looking to open more service and repair stations domestically and internationally in 2022. For more information, visit latitude-aero.com.

Breeze Airways

Breeze Airways, the Seriously Nice™ new U.S. low-fare airline founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, has been ranked second of the 10 best U.S. domestic airlines in 2021, according to Travel + Leisure readers.

Every year Travel + Leisure hosts its World’s Best Awards survey that is distributed amongst its readers. The survey asks readers to share their insights from their travels, voicing thoughts on resorts, hotels, cruise ships, cities, and more.

In the airlines category, readers ranked their top choices based on cabin comfort, in-flight service, food, customer service, and value. T+L readers noted Breeze’s affordability, spacious legroom, nice flight crew, and easy online booking system.

“We started service around Memorial Day last year, only operating for seven months of 2021,” said David Neeleman, Breeze Airways Chairman and CEO. “To be named among the likes of Hawaiian, JetBlue, Delta, and Alaska on a list of the top U.S. domestic airlines in 2021 is a huge honor and a testament to the hard work our Team Members are putting in daily. Together, we’re building a Seriously Nice™ airline, by making travel for our Guests easy, affordable, and flexible. This recognition shows we’re on the right track…and we’re just getting started!”

The list, which is usually comprised of five airlines, was expanded to 10 this year due to the growing number of U.S. domestic airline carriers. Breeze was No. 2, coming in just behind Hawaiian Airlines. Following Breeze was JetBlue at No. 3, Alaska Airlines at No. 4, and Delta Airlines at No. 5.


MAX Vision

Levarti, part of TA Connections, a FLEETCOR Company, announced today that its MAX Vision Disruption Management software is now live at HK Express. HK Express, the Hong Kong-based low-cost carrier, launched Levarti’s MAX Vision software recently to improve passenger communication, support an enhanced passenger experience and reduce the time and cost of managing flight disruptions. With an emphasis on user-friendly design, Levarti’s self-service portal now allows HK Express passengers to virtually self-manage any disruption event from their own devices, saving passengers valuable time whilst still providing them with great rebooking options.

MAX Vision’s software facilitates HK Express to manage all disruption needs from a single platform. Seamlessly integrated into HK Express’s PSS and flight operations systems, MAX Vision software provides end-to-end logistics management, supports smarter, faster decision making and improved service for passengers.

“In a period of constant operational change for the airline industry due COVID, it’s so important to have the right tools in place,” said Anthony Murray, Levarti CEO. “And our MAX Vision suite supports the HK Express goals of improved communication and enhanced service to passengers even during a flight disruption.”

“At HK Express, we are dedicated to bring in innovations to deliver a quality, affordable and seamless experience to our customers. Our partnership with Levarti will bring additional values to our customers and us,” said Mandy Ng, CEO of HK Express. “Incorporating Levarti’s technology will elevate our customer experience while ensuring we continue to deliver smooth journeys with our value for money offers.”

“Levarti is honored to be a part of HK Express’ digital ecosystem enabling passengers to self-serve their journey changes in addition to supporting HK Express’ drive to improve their passenger experience,” said Murray. “Eliminating unnecessary costs without cutting corners to offer the best services is one of the vital missions of an LCC, and Levarti’s role in managing disruptions effectively and at a much lower cost supports this purpose. Dealing with disruption events can be an expensive proposition for airlines, and they may incur tangible and intangible costs. Our MAX software helps HK Express mitigate both types of cost exposures so they can continue to offer affordable choice and deliver an outstanding and flexible service to travelers.”


Boeing

The Boeing Company announced major program deliveries across its commercial and defense operations for the second quarter of 2022.

The company will provide detailed second quarter financial results on July 27. Major program deliveries during the second quarter were as follows:

And More Boeing News:

Boeing will fly the newest and largest members of its 737 MAX and 777X airplane families at the Farnborough International Airshow this month and present new tools in the push toward more sustainable and autonomous flight.

The 737-10, making its international debut, will join the 777-9 in the daily flying and static display. The airplanes, each one the most fuel-efficient in its class, will fly to the show on a blend of sustainable aviation fuel, which Boeing sees as a major lever for further reducing carbon emissions. The company also will unveil a modeling tool that will provide actionable insights on strategies the aviation industry can use to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Another decarbonization strategy is electric propulsion and Boeing’s joint venture Wisk Aero will make the European debut of its all-electric vertical-takeoff-landing (eVTOL) air taxi. The “Cora” development vehicle is pilotless, helping to advance autonomous capabilities in aviation. Boeing will highlight other autonomous capabilities at the show, including its MQ-25 uncrewed aerial refueler and Airpower Teaming System (ATS).

“In the four years since the last Farnborough Airshow, the world has seen the critical social and economic role that aerospace and defense plays. We are excited to reconnect with our colleagues at Farnborough as we address together the need for a more sustainable future and take concrete steps to enable innovation and clean technology,” said Sir Michael Arthur, president of Boeing International. “We look forward to sharing the progress we are making.”

Below are some of Boeing’s highlights scheduled for the airshow starting on July 18, 2022.

Commercial Airplanes
The 737-10 will be on the show grounds July 18-21. The largest member of the 737 MAX family will provide operators with more capacity, greater fuel efficiency and the best per-seat economics of any single-aisle airplane. The 737 MAX family, which has received more than 3,300 net orders, leverages advanced aerodynamic design and highly-efficient engines to reduce fuel use and emissions 20% and the noise footprint 50% compared to airplanes they replace.

The 777-9, which is the world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, will be at the airshow July 18-20. Based on the most successful twin-aisle airplane – the 777 – and advanced technologies from the 787 Dreamliner family, the 777-9 will deliver 10% better fuel use, emissions and operating costs than the competition. The 777X family has more than 340 orders from leading operators around the world.

Defense, Space & Security
Boeing’s exhibit will highlight its highly capable military helicopters, including the CH-47 Chinook and AH-64 Apache, and mobility and surveillance aircraft such as the P-8A Poseidon, E-7 Wedgetail and KC-46A Pegasus.

Boeing also will display some of its newest, most digitally-advanced programs, including the T-7A Red Hawk trainer and ATS. In addition, the U.S. Department of Defense corral is expected to display the FA-18E/F, F-15E, P-8A, AH-64E and CH-47F.

Global Services
Boeing will highlight its customer-centric services business that is focused on keeping the world’s fleet flying safely, efficiently and sustainably by pairing OEM expertise with data-driven innovation. This includes showcasing parts, modifications, digital, sustainment, and training solutions offerings, as well as an expansive global supply chain, maintenance and logistics network.

Sustainability
Boeing will present its vision for a sustainable aerospace future that is grounded in collaboration, technical research, data and extensive testing of technologies including sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen and electric power.

Autonomy
Boeing will highlight autonomous platforms such as MQ-25, ATS, and Wisk Aero’s Cora.

The company is building on decades of engineering experience to accelerate autonomous capabilities, which can enable sustainable and accessible modes of transportation as the world confronts a growing population and aging infrastructure. Boeing has made significant investments in California-based Wisk Aero, a leading Advanced Air Mobility company and developer of the first all-electric, self-flying air taxi in the U.S. Wisk’s configuration is an important differentiator within the eVTOL market as the independence of its lift and thrust rotors is expected to support simplicity and certification of the go-to-market vehicle.

Other
Boeing will release its 2022 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) on July 17. The annual forecast builds on 60 years of analysis and insights into airline strategies, passenger demand and economic data, and is among the most accurate forecasts in aviation.

Throughout the airshow, Boeing leaders will discuss market opportunities, eVTOL, sustainability and other topics at media briefings. See boeing.com/Farnborough and follow @Boeing on Twitter for information about these and other activities. Sign up in Boeing’s Newsroom to receive company announcements and advisories.

The Boeing exhibit – Exhibit # A-U01, U23 – will feature an immersive theater display and the company’s aerospace and defense capabilities across the lifecycle.


Airbus 2Q Deliveries

The net year to date delivery number of 295 reflects a reduction of 2 deliveries recorded in December 2021 (2 A350-900 AEROFLOT) for which a transfer was not possible due to international sanctions.

 


Morgan Stanley

Airlines: 2Q22 Preview: From Sweet Spot to Goldilocks?
2Q22 could be the best earnings season for the Airlines in years (decades?) despite $4 jet fuel, which speaks volumes for the power of the demand recovery. However, the stocks are already pricing in an “inevitable” Fall recession. We think risk reward might be better than the market thinks.

2Q22 a tale of peak demand vs. peak inflation but demand wins? The mid quarter updates from virtually all the Airlines at conferences in June reinforced that the demand and yield strength that picked up after Presidents Day only strengthened, which helped offset jet fuel and CASMxF inflation. Several airlines are set to deliver double-digit EBIT margins in 2Q despite $4 jet fuel and double digit CASMxF inflation, which would have been unthinkable even 6 months ago. The engine of growth has been driven by demand and yields (running ~25% above 2019 levels) rising unabated (at least until our most recent mgmt conversations a few weeks ago). However, our consumer surveys are showing some cracks (see here, here, and here) and fears of a recession have robbed the stocks of performance (US airline stocks were ~flat from 4/1 through 5/4 and down ~24% from 5/4 through 6/30). We are sympathetic to the concerns and absolutely do not expect yields to be +25% forever. However, we believe the market pricing in a collapse in demand/pricing AND elevated jet fuel may be too bearish. We see a 2H/2023 scenario where demand is strong but not record breaking (aided by a relatively resilient high end consumer + pent up corporate/international demand), yields drop to “only” 10-15% above 2019 levels, capacity eases somewhat as pilots graduate from training schools and demand pressures ease and jet fuel offers some relief (maybe $4 goes to $3 as demand declines?). This could be a transition from our Sweet Spot thesis (demand/pricing being very hot and capacity being very cold/tight which created a sweet spot for margins, even if execution risk was high) to more of a Goldilocks thesis (where nothing is too hot or too cold and everything is just right, lowering execution risk). We believe the Airlines can still comfortably top consensus 2023 estimates (and definitely what is priced into the stocks today) in this scenario. We are leaving forward estimates relatively unchanged today as we believe there is enough dry powder in jet fuel’s decline to more than offset an expected decline in volumes/yield in the coming quarters. However, we will continue to closely monitor leading indicators for both datasets. All airlines have given us detailed guidance updates in early June which significantly de-risks the quarter in terms of numbers and means the focus again will be on the rising tide (and whether it has started to fall).

Below are some of the key themes that we are looking for during 2Q earnings season:

  1. Forward booking curve / signs of demand destruction. We believe the hump of Airlines reports in late July should be late enough to provide an early read into the forward booking curve beyond Labor Day to confirm whether the seasonal drop in volumes is normal/seasonal/mild (bull case) or a collapse (bear case). Airlines opened their Fall bookings in early June and early reads have looked promising though they were too early to be definitive. We should have a definitive view during earnings.
  2. Signs of pricing easing. Bears have been waiting for signs of a second derivative turn in pricing and we may get that with mgmt. teams unlikely to underwrite 25% Y/3 yield growth through 2H. Part of this is normal seasonality, part is lack of macro visibility. However, this outlook downgrade may as well be a “buy the news” event if rates are still up Y/3 (given the concerns priced into the stocks) through 2H. We also expect corporate and international to pick up in the Fall which should be a tailwind to price/mix.
  3. Corporate update. The industry is counting on the last big leg up on corporate to come after Labor Day which should take the corporate recovery back to 2019 levels (from ~70-75% recovered today). This is supported by our latest Corporate travel survey (see here) which sees corporate travel spend rising into 2H22/2023. We believe a mild macro slowdown may actually be beneficial to corporate travel as companies hustle more to win business but a deeper recession could see budget cutbacks. We should get an update on the Fall corporate outlook on the 2Q calls. We will also be looking for an update on contract renewals which should reset some corporate contracts that may be grandfathered from pre-pandemic levels and renewed at much higher pricing.
  4. Jet fuel offers cost relief? While nearly impossible to accurately forecast, recession fears have pulled oil below $100/barrel and jet fuel below $4/gal (today jet fuel is at ~$3.29/gal which is ~22% lower in some cases than when airlines last updated their 2Q guidance in early June). If this sustains or the decline continues, jet fuel could be a tailwind to 3Q guidance.
  5. CASMxF update / service issues. Despite all the noise, the biggest headline of 2Q was likely the aggressive pull down of schedules into the summer as airlines struggled to keep service levels afloat. Cancellations were elevated at some point in the quarter for virtually every airline (though ALGT, which already guided down on this, and AAL are likely most at risk) and every airline slashed their flying schedules for 2H2Q22. We do not expect other airlines to warn/miss on this in 2Q but the market will be focused on whether this continues into the Fall, which will impact CASMxF guidance for the year. Again, we think a Goldilocks scenario should bring demand and supply more into balance.
  6. Idiosyncratic updates. We are still in an environment where the market/macro dominates investor sentiment and earnings power but idiosyncratic catalysts also matter, including updates on LUV’s corporate traction, ALK’s revenue initiatives, Sunseeker update at ALGT and more.

 


Other News

Air New Zealand & Safran

Air New Zealand unveiled its brand new cabin interior featuring its latest Business Premier seats, designed and manufactured with Safran Seats. They are due to enter in service in 2024 and retrofit their current 787-9 fleet to give passengers ‘the best sleep in the sky’.

Air New Zealand selected a concept to create a ‘home away from home’ experience. In co-creation with Safran Seats, this seat is specifically designed for 787 aircraft with no compromise, maximizing the available space in this aircraft type. They present two choices within the business premier cabin:

The Business Premier seat offers a comfortable and private nest for a blissful journey and tranquil sleep. If traveling with a companion, the middle row allows customers to open their nest and share their experience.

The herringbone configuration of the cabin creates an equal experience for all passengers and ensures a better sleep with the head of passengers being far from the aisle. A private environment for the passenger with high shells combined with adjustable aisle and center dividers contributes to a restful flight. Passengers have plenty of personal stowage areas that are certified for Taxi, Take- off and Landing (TTL) as well as multiple surfaces including an electrically assisted large single- piece meal table.

Over and above the many traditional features, this suite takes flight wireless charging and with an active backrest offering the passenger another way to manage their personal comfort, certified for variable TTL positions.

The Business Premier Luxe is made for the best sleep in the sky. Air New Zealand’s new offering is for customers looking for space and privacy. A luxury experience with all the features of Business Premier, but with a fully closing door and space for two people to dine.

This premium front row is offered across multiple Safran products in which the layout replaces the traditional front row monuments to provide the utmost privacy and space to the passenger whilst maintaining the same footprint. This also provides new and enhanced experiences such as welcoming a ‘buddy’ into your suite. For Air New Zealand, this increases the usable space for the passenger by 25%.

Air New Zealand Head of Aircraft Programs Kerry Reeves says, “We really encouraged Safran to think differently and push the boundaries with what we can do with the Business Premier seat to optimize the configuration and customer experience. Working virtually throughout Covid added another layer of complexity. Without being able to travel to the Safran site to validate our ideas and concepts, we paralleled the mock-up build both in New Zealand at our innovation lab and at Safran to ensure we had a common design interpretation and valid feedback on the engineering development of the layout and features.”

Vincent Mascré, CEO of Safran Seats, states: “We are pleased to provide Air New Zealand with a product that meets their needs to offer choice and a product dedicated to ultra-long haul flight. These seats are the fruit of incredible work between our companies and it will allow a better journey for all their passengers. The creation of this seat displays the remarkable capabilities between Air New Zealand and the experienced Safran Seats teams based in United Kingdom”.


Astronics

Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO), a leading provider of advanced technologies for global aerospace, defense, and other mission critical industries, announced today that it has expanded its CorePower® product portfolio and capabilities to address the needs of the emerging electric aircraft industry. The Company’s CorePower product line offers advanced flight-critical electrical power generation, conversion, distribution and control, primarily for smaller rotary and fixed wing aircraft in both commercial and military markets. Astronics has over 50 years of experience designing and manufacturing highly efficient and reliable aircraft electrical power solutions. The aerospace industry today is making significant investments in More Electric Aircraft (MEA) architectures, including specifically electric propulsion and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. These new aircraft aim to reduce the carbon footprint and noise pollution associated with today’s aircraft, as well as enable new business models like urban air mobility (UAM) and cargo delivery. Significant investments are being made both by newcomers to the aerospace industry and established airframe OEMs. Astronics has expanded its CorePower product offerings to include a new line of high voltage power conversion products (950VDC to 28VDC) and high voltage/high current solid state switching devices, for both uni- and bi-directional power distribution, along with required load protection. These products are designed to meet stringent regulatory certification requirements, including dissimilar topologies to minimize common-cause failure modes. The new products complete a flexible, modular line of highvoltage DC power conversion and distribution capabilities required by the new aircraft, and do so with increased efficiency and lower weight, leading to aircraft benefits such as increased run time, longer ranges, and higher passenger or cargo loads. The Company has added intelligence to every element of the power system to meet industry demands for higher reliability, increased safety, and extended periods of sustained, no-maintenance operation. “Our Airborne Power and Control team has specialized in creating innovative and market leading Airframe Power solutions for small to medium sized rotorcraft and business jets – now with the advent of eVTOL and More Electric Aircraft, there are a number of new platforms that will benefit from our new CorePower high voltage products,” said Jon Neal, President of Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems. “Astronics is excited to be part of the evolution of aviation moving towards more sustainable and cleaner modes of transportation.”


Boeing’s 2022 Sustainability Report

Boeing released its annual Sustainability Report, which further defines the company’s sustainability goals and includes key metrics to measure progress of core enterprise priorities. This includes employee safety and well-being; global aerospace safety; equity, diversity and inclusion; sustainable operations; innovation and clean technologies; and community engagement.

In addition, the report highlights the company’s 2021 sustainability achievements, its sustainable vision for the future of flight, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts in alignment with global sustainability standards.

“We are honored to release our second sustainability report that builds on Boeing’s family of reports already released this year and shares how our collective ESG efforts are contributing to our business and world,” said Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Raymond. “The report is an important step in demonstrating our ambition to communicate transparently with all of our stakeholders, and in holding ourselves accountable as we protect, connect and explore our world – safely and sustainably.”

The report details Boeing’s environmental, social and governance milestones, including these highlights.

Environmental Stewardship

  • Committed to delivering commercial airplanes capable of flying on 100% sustainable fuels by 2030.
  • Supported the commercial aviation industry’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions for global civil aviation operations by 2050.
  • Joined NASA and DARPA to successfully test a fully composite, linerless cryogenic fuel tank with capacity to hold 16,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen.
  • Established multiple partnerships to help advance the renewable energy transition with partners including SkyNRG, Alaska Airlines, Etihad Airways, NASA, Rolls-Royce, and United Airlines. We also joined the First Movers Coalition and continue to make progress through our joint venture, Wisk.
  • Maintained net-zero carbon emissions from manufacturing and facilities again in 2021 by expanding conservation and renewable electricity use while sourcing carefully selected carbon offsets for remaining emissions.

Social Progress

  • Increased representation of women and racial/ethnic minorities and saw exit rates for women, men and teammates of all races within 1 point of each other, both improvements compared to 2020.
  • Enhanced workplace safety using automation and robotics, reduced employee exposure to high hazards and reduced serious injuries by 27% in 2021.
  • Spent greater than $4 billion with small and diverse suppliers and invested more than $187 million to help build better communities worldwide. Introduced Seek, Speak and Listen habits to create an inclusive culture, strengthen our global team and drive stronger business outcomes.
  • Speak Up reporting channel enabled people to openly report safety, quality or compliance concerns, knowing their voice will be heard and appropriate action will be taken.

Transparent Governance

  • Amended Governance & Public Policy Committee of the Board of Directors to include oversight of sustainability.
  • Established the independent Chief Aerospace Safety Office to align critical safety functions under one organization.
  • Incorporated product safety, employee safety and quality metrics into our primary annual incentive structures.

More information on these and other sustainability accomplishments can be found in the full report. Learn more about Boeing’s sustainability commitments, partnerships and efforts at https://www.boeing.com/principles/sustainability.


Turkish Technic & Oman Air

Turkish Technic, a leading provider of technical services and solutions for commercial airlines and private jets, and the national airline of Oman, Oman Air, have signed a comprehensive ten-year component pool and advance exchange contract for the airline’s fleet of Boeing B737 Next Generation and Boeing 737 MAX family.

In accordance with the contract, Istanbul-based maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider, Turkish Technic, will provide component pool, component maintenance and advance exchange services for Oman Air’s Boeing B737 Next Generation and Boeing B737 MAX family fleet. This multi-year contract will enable Oman Air to benefit from Turkish Technic’s decades of experience in component maintenance.

Mikail Akbulut, the CEO of Turkish Technic, said:  ‘‘We are happy that Oman Air has decided to partner with us for component pool and exchange services. As a leading component service provider of more than 900 aircraft from all around the world, we will do our best to help ensure Oman Air continues to meet its customers’ expectations. With another milestone contract in our partnership, we look forward to supporting Oman Air’s fleet of Boeing B737 Next Generation and Boeing 737 MAX family.’’

Captain Nasser Ahmed Al Salmi, Chief Operating Officer of Oman Air, said: “We are pleased to entrust the leading trademark, Turkish Technic, with the maintenance of our aircraft. We put our confidence in the globally recognised services provided by Turkish Technic. The services to be provided by Turkish Technic were selected for being the ideal solutions for Oman Air Boeing B737 Next Generation and Boeing 737 MAX operations.”

Panasonic Avionics Re-Defines Airline Seatback Experience With New Astrova IFE Seat-End Solution

Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) today unveiled the future of airline passenger engagement with the launch of its new in-flight entertainment (IFE) seat-end system, Astrova, by Panasonic Avionics.

Ken Sain, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said, “The launch of Astrova, by Panasonic Avionics, reflects a transformation in our business, how we develop our products, and how we engage with our customers. Astrova is the first in-flight entertainment solution to truly recognize the untapped potential of seatback IFE and provides airlines with a powerful and targeted way of engaging with their passengers every time they fly.”

Astrova, by Panasonic Avionics, demonstrates the company’s new approach to the market and its mindset in developing products and services to help airlines drive higher net promoter scores (NPS), enhance passenger engagement, increase revenue, and deliver operational efficiencies through IFE and connectivity. It leverages the latest consumer innovations to deliver unique passenger experiences that help carriers achieve their business goals. Several major airlines have selected Astrova, an innovative solution that also has the ability to provide easy, modular upgrades to in-cabin technology without full or costly interior changes.

An Enhanced Passenger Experience

On board Astrova-equipped aircraft, every passenger will immerse themselves in cinema-grade 4K OLED screens with High Dynamic Range (HDR) for the absolute best possible picture quality today. Passengers also will enjoy high fidelity audio through traditional wired connections or via Panasonic Avionics’ award-winning Bluetooth technology. By seamlessly interfacing their personal devices to the IFE system, passengers can create a multi-screen, multi-purpose environment which they are accustomed to at home.

As an industry first, Astrova by Panasonic Avionics will provide dedicated 67W of USB-C power to fast-charge passenger devices including notebooks and laptops.

Panasonic Avionics’ newest IFE seat-end solution also features programmable LED lighting that enhances passenger experience and enables airlines to optimize the cabin environment. Airlines can easily change the lighting to complement various phases of flight like food and beverage service. They also have the option to let passengers customize the lighting experience to their own personal preferences.

Maximizing Value to Airlines

Astrova, by Panasonic Avionics, redefines the role of the seatback IFE and reinforces its position as the most valuable opportunity for airlines to engage with their passengers. Because the average flight today is five hours, in-seat IFE offers a much longer dwell time than airline apps and other marketing channels. Astrova has been designed to provide significantly more opportunities to immerse passengers in an airline’s brand experience for both single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft.

The solution is a seamless blend of newly developed hardware, software, and enterprise solutions that revolutionize the in-flight entertainment experience. Astrova lets airlines optimize the seatback to their individual commercial objectives, transforming it into an easily configured, flexible channel that caters to the personal and business needs of passengers each time they board an aircraft.

It also will be augmented and enabled by Panasonic Avionics’ global in-flight connectivity services. This allows airlines to easily personalize passenger content to engage them on a deeper level by providing access to passengers’ personal subscription services and content such as Apple Music, Spotify, Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and HBO Max.

Maximizing the Return on Investment

Astrova, by Panasonic Avionics, re-imagines the ownership experience by delivering a range of commercial and operational benefits to airlines. Operational expenditure has been reduced by its ability to deliver faster on-wing maintenance and future upgrades.

Sustainability Contribution

To help airlines meet their sustainability goals, Astrova offers significant weight savings compared to other seat-end architectures, which will help airlines reduce fuel burn to help meet the airline industry’s climate goals.

Designed with modularity, scalability, and flexibility in mind, Astrova addresses the needs of modern airlines operating in today’s fast-changing market. Key hardware and software components can evolve over time to meet changing market requirements and satisfy ever-increasing passenger expectations. For example, a removable peripheral bar gives airlines the ability to easily add, upgrade or remove features such as USB power, Bluetooth audio, and other options.

It is also designed to be backward compatible with other Panasonic Avionics systems such as eX1, eX3, and NEXT, enabling operational commonality in areas such as media loading, spares and repairs for some line replaceable units, and cabin crew operations.

Andy Masson, Vice President of Product & Portfolio Development at Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said, “Astrova, by Panasonic Avionics, not only redefines in-flight entertainment but does so using a modular architecture that enables airlines to tailor it to support their individual commercial needs. The engaging, immersive, and connected experience it creates for passengers is matched by an operational ease of ownership that makes Astrova a win-win for airlines.”

About Astrova, by Panasonic Avionics

The name is derived from a big idea – delivering in-flight experiences that are out of this world, that reach for the stars. Astro means “related to the stars” which conveys entertainment and flight. Strova is derived from “strive,” denoting our commitment and effort devoted to achieving amazing in-flight experiences for our customers and their passengers. Put together, Astrova represents the delivery of that commitment – the delivery of a reinvented flying experience.


European Center Of Excellence For Advanced Air Mobility Created By Inmarsat With Generalitat De Catalunya

In a unique, world-first agreement between a company and a commercial airport, the regional Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya) has joined with Inmarsat’s Velaris Partner Networkto transform Lleida-Alguaire Airport into a European center of excellence for advancing Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) innovation.

Situated approximately 5 miles (8 kilometres) from the city of Lleida, Lleida-Alguaire Airport is making its runway, full aerodrome and air traffic control services available to ground-breaking advanced air mobility research programs. With recent estimates anticipating 40 times more commercial uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be flying beyond visual line-of-sight by 2030 than commercial aircraft, Lleida stands to make a significant and positive contribution towards alleviating the air traffic capacity crunch.

With its new status as a center of excellence, the airport’s partnership with Inmarsat will drive investment and bring more businesses to the local economy of Lleida and the wider region by attracting the aeronautical industry to the area – leading to job creation in the region. As part of Inmarsat’s Velaris Partner Network, a consortium of partners will offer their research expertise to the hub, fostering international cooperation throughout Europe and beyond.

Designed and developed specifically for the commercial Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) sector, Inmarsat Velaris combines a reliable and totally scalable Command and Control (C2) service with transformative software and services from the Inmarsat Velaris Partners, made up of some of the biggest names in the industry.  

By bringing together research of ATM and UTM technologies, and integrating it with the aeronautical industry, regulators and local government, Inmarsat and Lleida-Alguaire Airport can deliver on their shared goal of bringing societal, environmental and commercial benefits of advanced air mobility to the region. 

Anthony Spouncer, Inmarsat’s Senior Director of UAVs and UTM, said: “Inmarsat’s partnership with the Government of Catalonia and Lledia-Alguaire Airport marks a significant step forward in the development and testing of advanced air mobility solutions. By focusing on unification of airspace, we want to turn concepts into tangible realities that have real-world benefits. There is no time to waste when it comes to bringing our airspace into the future. As our consortium grows, we hope to welcome more partners as we establish Lledia-Alguaire as a world-leading facility.” 

In a move from theory to practice, research conducted by Inmarsat and its partners will take place in instalments up to four times per year in the form of real-life, practical demonstrations, as opposed to theoretical whitepapers and academic study, and will have numerous real-world applications. The efforts made to transform tests and theories into fully-fledged technologies will help to alleviate the major issues facing the aviation industry, particularly the capacity crunch and the problem of fragmented airspace.

Jordi Candela, General Director Aeroports de Catalunya, added: “Lledia-Alguaire Airport’s new status as a centre of excellence for advanced air mobility will place it at the forefront of technological innovation within Catalonia, Europe, and the aeronautical industry. Being a part of Inmarsat’s Velaris Partner Network will ensure that the center can access a vast network of experts dedicated to a common goal: developing technology that will transform the future of both ATM and UTM. The expertise we’ll be able to benefit from, and develop ourselves, will be critical to the future of the aviation industry – and we look forward to making this a reality.”


easyJet To Unlock Environmental, Operational Benefits As First Airline Partner For Iris Program From Inmarsat, ESA

easyJet has today been announced as the first airline partner of the ground-breaking Iris program by Inmarsat and the European Space Agency (ESA), which utilizes the latest generation of satellite technology to modernize air traffic management (ATM).

One of Europe’s leading airlines will play a central role in the Iris program, which enables real-time collaboration between pilots, air traffic controllers and airline operation centers using secure, high-bandwidth data links. This minimizes delays, saves fuel and reduces environmental impact for airlines, while also improving airspace usage to ease congestion and accommodate future growth.

Powered by Inmarsat’s award-winning SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S) connectivity platform, Iris enables new ATM functionalities such as trajectory-based operations that pinpoint aircraft in four dimensions (latitude, longitude, altitude and time), which will allow the airline to avoid holding patterns, calculate the shortest available routes and optimum altitudes, and benefit from continuous climb and descent pathways. The additional datalink capacity provided by SB-S will power a host of powerful onboard digital applications, such as AI flight profile optimizers and real-time weather applications.

With the support of leading Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), easyJet will evaluate Iris’ transformative capabilities on up to 11 Airbus A320neos, set to begin flying from November 2022.

This partnership is the culmination of years of work and over €50 million investment by ESA, Inmarsat and more than 30 partners to develop the Iris program. It also supports easyJet’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 as part of the UN-backed ‘Race to Zero’ campaign, with an interim target of a 35% carbon emissions intensity improvement by 2035.

Philippe Carette, President of Inmarsat Aviation, said “The Iris program from Inmarsat and ESA is a game-changer and we are delighted to have easyJet as our first airline partner. This is not only because of its pioneering commitment to innovation and reducing aviation’s environmental impact, but also because this kick-starts an exciting new era that will help make aviation greener and reduce congestion delays for passengers.”

Hugh McConnellogue, easyJet’s Director of Airport Operations and Navigation, said “Iris is paving the way for more efficient air traffic management, which is a crucial step forward for the aviation industry. The program brings multiple benefits, from helping us to achieve our environmental goals by further reducing our carbon emissions, to providing a better experience for our passengers. We’re excited to be leading in this space, setting the standard for the industry and hope to see more airlines follow suit.”

Elodie Viau, Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications at ESA, said: “This innovation has been an enormous undertaking by ESA, Inmarsat and more than 30 other companies within the space and aviation industry, so to see it finally ‘take to the skies’ in a live operational environment is very exciting. European airspace is crying out for a solution to its capacity issues, and advanced satellite technology is the only way to set the industry up for a better – and greener – future.”

The easyJet Airbus A320neo aircraft have been linefitted with a Light Cockpit Satcom (LCS) solution powered by terminal manufacturer Cobham, which is integrated fully with the Flight Operations & Maintenance Exchanger (FOMAX) developed by Collins and Airbus.

Iris will enter commercial and operational service fully in Europe next year, supporting the Single European Sky’s ATM Research (SESAR) masterplan. It will be the first communication service to benefit from a Pan-European certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). 

Earlier this month, Inmarsat and ESA signed a new contract to globalize the program. Iris Global will focus on the technologies and certification required to share the fuel, CO2 and congestion-saving benefits of Iris with regions beyond Europe. To accelerate further ATM modernization, it will also adopt System Wide Information Management (SWIM) applications to facilitate greater sharing of information such as airport operational status, weather information, flight data and airspace restrictions status. Research on future capabilities for the integration of uncrewed aviation into European airspace will also be supported.


Skyports Partners With SITA To Explore Technology For THe AAM Passenger Journey

Skyports, a best-in-class owner and operator of vertiport infrastructure for the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry, and SITA, an IT provider for the air transport industry, today announced a partnership that will see SITA provide its digital solutions at Skyports vertiport locations.

SITA technology will first be implemented at the Skyports Cergy-Pontoise vertiport testbed in Paris, planned for completion in September 2022 to demonstrate the full passenger journey, from arrival at the vertiport terminal to eVTOL aircraft departure. The partnership aims to highlight the ease with which passengers will be able to navigate the AAM ecosystem.

SITA will apply its expertise in airport technology to the emerging AAM industry to develop bespoke biometric and vertiport technology in line with Skyports’ vision for the passenger experience. The technology being developed through the partnership will be a fundamental component of the future passenger journey through a vertiport. It will demonstrate for the first time how customers will interact with the ecosystem.

Passenger autonomy, ease, and convenience are central to the success of the industry and the widespread adoption of AAM. Through the integration of SITA’s biometric solution Smart Path, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft passengers traveling with Skyports will experience a seamless, technology-driven experience at all stages throughout the journey.

Passengers will be able to book and reserve flights on eVTOL aircraft via a mobile app powered by SITA’s biometric capabilities. Upon arrival at the Skyports vertiport, SITA face pods will be used to identify and verify passengers.

Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports, said: “Advanced Air Mobility has presented an opportunity to reimagine the entire travel experience, from the vehicles we use and energy sources we rely on, right down to the way passengers book and check-in to flights. We are partnering with SITA to move into this next crucial stage in the planning and development of the AAM industry – defining the experience for end-users. Everything we do at Skyports is underpinned by the belief that there is a faster, smarter, more streamlined way to travel. Our work with SITA will demonstrate how that translates to the passenger journey.”

AAM aircraft will provide a cost-effective and quicker alternative to traditional rail or land transport links. Walker added: “However, to make AAM work, there needs to be a demonstrable benefit to the end-user. Hence the passenger experience is fundamental to our success.”

Much of the magic in streamlining the passenger journey occurs behind the scenes. SITA will provide an automated scheduling solution to support Skyports’ airside operations. So, once a passenger requests a booking, a flight slot will automatically be secured at both departure and destination, ensuring the aircraft is operationally ready and waiting when the passenger arrives. It will also ensure that all the resources needed to support that flight are in place to ensure an on-time departure.

Sergio Colella, President of Europe at SITA, said: “With Skyports, we have the potential to use existing airport technology to totally redesign the passenger journey, with a light-touch process using just your mobile or facial biometric to complete the various steps in the journey. Together we will also work with existing airports to support Advanced Air Mobility solutions in the future.”

Skyports will, in the coming months, begin passenger experience trials at its Cergy-Pontoise vertiport testbed facility, Europe’s first operational testing site for AAM, which is being developed in partnership with Groupe ADP. The implementation of SITA’s innovative technology will be a focal point of the testing.

SAFRAN

Safran Passenger Innovations, ThinKom Solutions, Inc. (ThinKom) and Astronics Connectivity Systems and Certifications (Astronics), today announced agreements to provide next-generation Ka-band aero satellite terminals. Safran Passenger Innovations is embarking down a path of providing the next evolution in Inflight Connectivity (IFC) terminal solution to the market, one that allows airlines to have flexibility when it comes to choosing a service provider.

Under the agreements, ThinKom will supply its ThinAir® Ka2517 phased-array aero satellite antennas for Safran Passenger Innovations’ Ka-band commercial IFC terminal in both retrofit and linefit installations. Safran Passenger Innovations is an authorized terminal integrator for the next generation of aero broadband services across multiple providers and a key supplier for connectivity solutions to Airbus. The ThinKom antenna will be packaged with a newly designed adapter plate, installation kit and in-cabin connectivity solution.

Astronics has been selected to deliver its new Dual-modem Modem Manager (Modman) and a new Outside Aircraft Equipment (OAE) support structure. The Modman integrates multiple third-party aero modem cards in a 4MCU enclosure. The launch version of the Modman will include the iDirect iQ800 modem with multiple additional configurations available to provide flexibility for Safran Passenger Innovations and Airbus customers. The OAE installation kit is comprised of a radome, adapter plate, skirt and associated wiring to complement ThinKom’s antenna with a simplified installation design and novel use of quick disconnect fittings to improve serviceability.

Safran Passenger Innovations selected the ThinKom Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub (VICTS) antennas based on their unmatched record of reliability and performance. VICTS antennas have over 28 million accrued operational hours of service on more than 1,600 commercial aircraft. ThinKom’s phased-array antennas provide industry-leading spectral efficiency that is two to eight times higher than other competing designs. The VICTS antennas also offer the beam agility needed to switch seamlessly between geostationary (GEO) and non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite constellations. The low-profile design minimizes drag and maximizes fuel economy, and the low power consumption results in very little heat generation inside the radome, enabling uninterrupted gate-to-gate operation even with full solar loading in hot climates.

“Our partnership with ThinKom and Astronics strongly supports SPI’s connectivity vision and supports our continued growth in the IFC market. The Ka2517 antenna solution, along with a MODMAN that supports multiple modem providers, are key pieces in supporting our customers and providing them with the best systems available today, and for the future” said John Andrews, Safran’s VP, Connectivity.

More From Safran

Safran is a major supplier for ITA Airways’ new cabins. ITA Airways, the new Italian flag carrier, has kicked off a vast program to revamp the interiors of its fleet, comprising Airbus A220, A319ceo, A320neo/ceo, A321neo and A330neo jetliners.

Safran Seats will provide all economy and premium economy class seats for this new fleet. The company worked intensively to give these seats a premium look, especially by using Italian fabrics and leather.

Safran Cabin is also a fleet supplier, especially the exceptionally comfortable cargo bay rest areas for flight crews.

Safran Cabin also offers galleys, cooking equipment and food and beverage carts to ensure top-flight service quality.

Safran Passenger Innovations was also selected by ITA Airways to provide in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems: RAVE wireless for a dozen Airbus A320neo twinjets, and RAVE Centric for nine Airbus A321neo and 17 Airbus A330neo jetliners.

“Safran is very proud of its selection to outfit ITA Airways’ new interiors with a wide range of seats and galley equipment, which enhance the interior design, comfort and service quality,” said Olivier Andriès, Chief Executive Officer of Safran. “Our aircraft interior staff have developed an integrated cabin and seat solution, reflecting the excellence of this new airline.”


Airbus

Airbus has launched Airspace Link HBCplus, its new flexible satellite connectivity solution that will be offered as an SFE line-fit catalogue option and also for retrofit on all Airbus programs. HBCplus, which initially encompasses Ka-band services, will enable airlines to connect to a choice of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) via a new certified terminal and radome built as part of the aircraft. In the future it is planned to extend HBCplus to include MSPs which offer Ku-band services.

Andreì Schneider, Airbus VP Cabin & Cargo Program said: “We are excited to offer airlines a new connectivity service solution that will provide improved speed and reliability for passenger experience and more flexibility. Together with our leading industry partners we are pleased to enable future connectivity business opportunities in the context of the Airspace Link open ecosystem.”

To this end Airbus has selected connectivity satcom leader Inmarsat as the first MSP, contributing its GX Aviation inflight broadband solution which offers reliable and seamless passenger experience with global coverage and capacity for future growth. Additional MSPs will join the HBCplus offering in due course.

Philippe Carette, President of Inmarsat Aviation, said: “We are honored that Airbus has chosen Inmarsat as the first Managed Service Provider for this transformative connectivity catalogue solution and is putting its trust in our award-winning GX Aviation service across all of its aircraft programs. Inmarsat looks forward to working closely with our partners Airbus and SPI to deliver continuous innovation for airlines and their passengers worldwide.”

Meanwhile Safran Passenger Innovations (SPI) has been selected as the terminal provider and hardware integrator of ThinKom’s proven antenna technology – targeted for Ka-band services which delivers high data throughput and reliability combined with aircraft fuel savings thanks to the antenna’s lower drag radome.

Matt Smith, CEO, Safran Passenger Innovations, said: “Safran Passenger Innovations is delighted to be selected as the equipment supplier for Airbus’ Airspace Link connectivity solution. We are excited to be a part of the next evolution in the IFC industry by providing the technology for airlines to select the connectivity services most suited to their needs. We look forward to working with Airbus and our partners on this industry-changing endeavor.”

Airspace Link HBCplus thus provides satcom based off-board connectivity for the Airspace Link open ecosystem representing an end-to-end Airbus offer. This solution, which enables the exchange of data as one seamlessly integrated aircraft system, is ideally positioned to unlock future digital services capacity and demand growth, allowing airlines to deliver a best-in-class passenger connectivity experience, in an exponentially growing market.


SITA

Skyports, a best-in-class owner and operator of vertiport infrastructure for the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry, and SITA, an IT provider for the air transport industry, today announced a partnership that will see SITA provide its digital solutions at Skyports vertiport locations.

SITA technology will first be implemented at the Skyports Cergy-Pontoise vertiport testbed in Paris, planned for completion in September 2022 to demonstrate the full passenger journey, from arrival at the vertiport terminal to eVTOL aircraft departure. The partnership aims to highlight the ease with which passengers will be able to navigate the AAM ecosystem.

SITA will apply its expertise in airport technology to the emerging AAM industry to develop bespoke biometric and vertiport technology in line with Skyports’ vision for the passenger experience. The technology being developed through the partnership will be a fundamental component of the future passenger journey through a vertiport. It will demonstrate for the first time how customers will interact with the ecosystem.

Passenger autonomy, ease, and convenience are central to the success of the industry and the widespread adoption of AAM. Through the integration of SITA’s biometric solution Smart Path, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft passengers traveling with Skyports will experience a seamless, technology-driven experience at all stages throughout the journey.

Passengers will be able to book and reserve flights on eVTOL aircraft via a mobile app powered by SITA’s biometric capabilities. Upon arrival at the Skyports vertiport, SITA face pods will be used to identify and verify passengers.

Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports, said: “Advanced Air Mobility has presented an opportunity to reimagine the entire travel experience, from the vehicles we use and energy sources we rely on, right down to the way passengers book and check-in to flights. We are partnering with SITA to move into this next crucial stage in the planning and development of the AAM industry – defining the experience for end-users. Everything we do at Skyports is underpinned by the belief that there is a faster, smarter, more streamlined way to travel. Our work with SITA will demonstrate how that translates to the passenger journey.”

AAM aircraft will provide a cost-effective and quicker alternative to traditional rail or land transport links. Walker added: “However, to make AAM work, there needs to be a demonstrable benefit to the end-user. Hence the passenger experience is fundamental to our success.”

Much of the magic in streamlining the passenger journey occurs behind the scenes. SITA will provide an automated scheduling solution to support Skyports’ airside operations. So, once a passenger requests a booking, a flight slot will automatically be secured at both departure and destination, ensuring the aircraft is operationally ready and waiting when the passenger arrives. It will also ensure that all the resources needed to support that flight are in place to ensure an on-time departure.

Sergio Colella, President of Europe at SITA, said: “With Skyports, we have the potential to use existing airport technology to totally redesign the passenger journey, with a light-touch process using just your mobile or facial biometric to complete the various steps in the journey. Together we will also work with existing airports to support Advanced Air Mobility solutions in the future.”

Skyports will, in the coming months, begin passenger experience trials at its Cergy-Pontoise vertiport testbed facility, Europe’s first operational testing site for AAM, which is being developed in partnership with Groupe ADP. The implementation of SITA’s innovative technology will be a focal point of the testing.


Anuvu

Anuvu, the leading provider of high-speed connectivity and entertainment solutions for demanding worldwide mobility markets, has won a Crystal Cabin Award for its newly-launched connectivity solution, Dedicated Space™ in the IFEC and Digital Services category. The industry-leading innovation addresses today’s connectivity challenges and meets rapidly evolving consumer demand for more consistent and stable inflight internet experiences, maximizing the bandwidth performance of existing connectivity networks.

Designed by Anuvu exclusively for mobility customers, Dedicated Space merges state-of-art modem technology with an AI-driven dynamic Network Management System (NMS) to optimize network performance. The benefits include reduced satellite handover times to under one second, significantly faster than any existing connectivity satellite provider today, as well as increased upload performance up to five-fold and reduced latency overall.

The technology is already operating today on certain Southwest Airlines flights, enabling the airline to provide, for the first time, a truly uninterrupted connectivity experience for passengers and eliminate critical overhead costs associated with the provision of inflight satellite internet.

“The way we use the internet has changed. Passengers demand more stable, higher-performing internet service when traveling. While we are on the cusp of a future of new networks, Dedicated Space is available today to solve for what passengers want right now,” said Mike Pigott, EVP Connectivity at Anuvu. “We are thrilled to win the prestigious Crystal Cabin Award in partnership with Southwest Airlines and remain committed to creating innovative solutions that bring a modern approach to inflight connectivity.”

Through Dedicated Space, Anuvu delivers the best GEO network performance available today by designing technology that addresses airlines’ critical pain points. The modems and ground equipment are easily upgraded and customized to eliminate unnecessary costs and streamline business for airlines. Anuvu’s innovative technology is beneficial to all airlines, is band and orbit agnostic, and requires the simple replacement of modem hardware. For passengers, it means fewer internet outages, more reliable Wi-FI, and high-performing upload and download speeds

The Crystal Cabin Awards, an initiative of the Hamburg Aviation cluster, is presented in eight categories: “Cabin Concepts,” “Cabin Systems,” “Health & Safety,” “IFEC & Digital Services,” “Material & Components,” “Passenger Comfort,” “Sustainable Cabin,” and “University.” For each category, the 28 expert members of the jury select three finalists, who are invited to pitch their concepts to the jury in person at Aircraft Interiors Expo.


OneWeb

OneWeb, a global space-based communications company, together with commercial aviation terminal partner Stellar Blu Solutions achieved a significant milestone on May 28, when it successfully delivered high-speed, low-latency inflight LEO satellite connectivity to a commercial airliner.  Stellar Blu, has partnered with antenna technology provider Ball Aerospace to incorporate its electronically steered arrays (ESA) into the terminal solution. This collaboration realized breakthrough performance on OneWeb’s low earth orbit (LEO) network.  The new Stellar Blu platform, known as “Sidewinder”, will continue flight testing through the remainder of 2022, with a target for certification and availability in mid-2023.

This first test flight was conducted aboard a Boeing B777-200LR and took off from Fort Worth Alliance Airport (KAFW), in Texas on May 27th at 15:20 UTC and flew for just over one hour delivering the game-changing connectivity experience.

This test flight validates not only the installation and integration of the aircraft terminal, but underscores the performance of the antenna technology, and verifies the reliability of the connectivity during taxi, take-off, landing and typical aircraft flight maneuvers. As with any test flight, the assessment of performance reviewed expected parameters against vendor specifications, while also instrumenting and verifying on-aircraft impact and operating characteristics.

The Test Flight Crew simultaneously demonstrated the ability to connect Teams calls, 4K YouTube streaming, Netflix, online VR gaming and Nintendo Switch gaming, among other structured performance tests. Maximum speeds of 260Mbps download/80 upload and file transfer scenarios of 5GB demonstrated in approximately 20 seconds. All while operating at well under 100ms of network latency.

Commenting on the successful test flight, Ben Griffin, vice president Mobility said: “This test flight represents a fantastic milestone for OneWeb. Broadband in-flight connectivity, delivered to a commercial aircraft via low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and an electrically steered antenna (ESA) is now – finally – a reality. Together with our partners Stellar Blu and technology from Ball Aerospace, we are now well and truly on our way to delivering consistently reliable, game-changing, affordable inflight connectivity to commercial aviation users everywhere.

“This successful flight test demonstrates the power, not only of the OneWeb network, but our industry focused and partnership-led approach to the design, development, and deployment of ground-breaking technologies to connect commercial aviation. A solution designed for the aviation industry, by the aviation industry”

This maiden flight represented the culmination of several months’ collaboration between Stellar Blu, OneWeb and Ball Aerospace including ground trials and flight tests.  Their goal is to achieve certification in mid- 2023.

The Sidewinder terminal is ARINC 791 compliant to ease integration on commercial aircraft, with a smaller form factor option for installation on regional jets and single-aisle airliners.

Tracy Trent, Stellar Blu CEO, highlighting the achievement commented: “This initial testing is more about the integration of the components and accomplishing a safe installation on the aircraft, versus proving the connectivity functionality. That said, we are delighted by the performance of the terminal during the test flight. OneWeb is changing the reality of inflight connectivity now and for the future. Our antenna will harness the power of OneWeb’s Low Earth Orbit constellation to deliver high-speed, low latency, globally consistent and reliable connectivity for every passenger, without conflict or compromise. We are very confident the Sidewinder terminal will present operators with a purpose-built aviation solution, delivering new breakthroughs for passenger experience, and redefining aircraft operating expectations for reliability and maintainability.”

Based on the electronically steered antenna technology developed by Ball Aerospace, the terminal is significantly, lower profile, lighter and smaller than existing aviation antennas.  It will enable airlines to connect their aircraft, passengers, and crew over OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication network.  OneWeb expects this to be a key differentiator as airlines initially embrace and become confident in the benefits and performance of its new LEO technologies.


OTHER NEWS

Safran

Safran Seats reveals Euphony, an innovative passenger experience solution for Business and First class seats that provides passengers with a headset-free and high-quality individual sound experience. The solution, which will be revealed at the Aircraft Interiors Exhibition, has been developed in partnership with Devialet, an acoustic engineering company contributing with its world- class expertise and innovation to this joint effort.

With Euphony, each individual passenger can enjoy high quality sound in every position of the seat, enabling them to make the most of the entertainment content provided by the airline free from headsets and cables. With no more communication barriers with fellow travelers nor the cabin crew, Euphony enables a seamless on-board experience.

Euphony is made possible thanks to Devialet’s unique patented acoustic technologies and acoustic tuning expertise, coupled with Safran Seats invention which consists of two Devialet bespoke loudspeakers on each side of a standard sized headrest. Together, they provide the passenger with a high-fidelity sound that is clear and full-bodied. Euphony also enables the system to adjust in real- time to the audio content and the ambient cabin noise to offer an optimum listening experience without affecting other passengers on board.

Available across the Safran Seats Business class & First class product portfolio, Euphony is an intelligent solution that was selected by a first launch customer and will enter into service in 2023.

“Bringing Euphony to the market aligns with Safran’s vision to innovate and offer the best passenger experience. Our partnership with Devialet, a world leading acoustic company, brings one more option for our airline customers to customize their seat out of a wide range of options available across our full range of products ” Quentin Munier, Safran Seats EVP Strategy & Innovation.

Franck Lebouchard, CEO at Devialet says: “We are incredibly excited about our partnership with Safran Seats, bringing Devialet’s world-class technology to aircraft through this unique innovation. We believe great sound should be available at every moment, whether on the ground or in the sky, and with Safran Seats we are one step closer to that goal.”


Panasonic Avionics

 Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) has announced that it has joined forces with Adobe to advance the next generation of In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) through enhanced content delivery, data collection & activation, journey orchestration and experience intelligence services.

Adobe, the global leader in enterprise software, enabling businesses to create, manage and deliver personalized customer experiences and Panasonic Avionics, the global leader in IFEC solutions, bring together their respective capabilities to drive airline loyalty (NPS), ancillary revenue, and operational efficiencies.

Panasonic Avionics will integrate Adobe Experience Cloud’s content delivery, data, journey orchestration and experience intelligence capabilities into its onboard IFEC systems to ease the distribution of content for in-flight services while generating and activating on data from passengers’ real-time onboard services, transactions, and in-trip experiences.

Airlines will gain behavioral insights from customers’ IFEC interactions to accelerate service and enhance loyalty while connecting the in-flight experience throughout each passenger’s journey.

Personalization and targeted services have long defined the value of web and mobile experiences and have been hailed as the next frontier in IFEC to accelerate the customer experience. Panasonic Avionics and Adobe share the vision that airlines can drive more value out of IFEC by using data driven services to drive new revenue opportunities and increase airline NPS through service recovery.

The new partnership between Adobe and Panasonic Avionics transforms this process by offering pre-integrated functionality, using new and existing airline web and mobile assets, that can be deployed quickly and securely into IFEC services. Airlines will benefit from data updates in real time and, by utilizing AI-driven insights, can deliver and activate the right passenger experience across every channel.

Andrew Mohr, Vice President, Digital Solutions of Panasonic Avionics, said, “The cabin experience offers enormous untapped potential to deliver new value to airlines and their passengers through IFEC. We are delighted to provide this latest evolution in the digital onboard experience. Pre-integrating Adobe’s services will provide valuable and insightful data to airlines so they can further improve the in-flight experience for their customers.”

Julie Hoffmann, Global Head of Industry Strategy for Travel at Adobe, said, “At Adobe, we help travel brands to personalize and scale digital experiences. Working with Panasonic Avionics, Adobe Experience Cloud transforms all airline passenger data to create actionable customer profiles, whilst ensuring privacy is respected and data is securely stored.

Together with Panasonic Avionics, we are unlocking the value of data for airline teams, accelerating personalized experiences and services in-flight, that passengers now expect.”

The capability will include Panasonic Avionics’ recently introduced modular interactive capability, which will enable the ability to leverage existing airline digital assets and workflows and harmonize digital initiatives across all airline channels – web, mobile and IFEC.


Burrana

Burrana announces that it has obtained Airbus’ approval to market its RISE In-Seat Power solution to multiple airlines on the A320 family of aircraft, following successful completion of the Airbus acceptance test in Hamburg. RISE Power will now be available for factory installation for aircraft deliveries starting in Q2 2023.

Burrana has also secured an unidentified launch customer on the A320 and A321 aircraft types. Under the contract, Burrana will supply more than fifty aircraft with 3 Amp (15W) USB-A and -C combo jacks at every seat, as well as 110 VAC Power outlets in premium economy.

The solution is a simple installation architecture with minimal components, consisting of a small, lightweight housing either double USB jacks or 110V plus USB outlets, compact seat power boxes, and harnesses. Burrana will also provide product support and manage spares globally.

The solution offers an innovative approach without compromising on space, weight, ergonomics and aesthetics. It provides airlines with the fastest USB charging in the industry with 15W (3 Amp) charging via both USB-A and USB-C ports. The system can also be upgraded to 60W USB-C ports by simply swapping out the jacks.

The RISE 48VDC architecture provides greater reliability with reduced size, weight, and CO2 emissions. Intelligent power-sharing distribution and load shed management ensures greater utilization and efficiency of available power in the cabin, with multiple levels of redundancy bringing passengers facing failures to almost zero. RISE Power also makes maintenance and future fleet planning easy with feature-rich usage data reporting on passenger behaviour and system performance.

Burrana CEO Graham Macdonald, said, “This linefit collaboration with Airbus for RISE in-seat power is a significant milestone for Burrana as we continue to deliver brand-enhancing cabin technology solutions to airlines. Once fully installed, thousands of passengers will be powering their devices with our In-seat Power solution at any one time,” Macdonald explained.


OneWeb

The OneWeb Connected Passenger Report, the first of its kind since the pandemic, was commissioned to feed the airline industry’s understanding of what airline passengers demand from their in-flight connectivity (IFC) experience and to explore how expectations meet or contrast with what they have experienced while flying so far.

  • Wellbeing and sustainability are more important to passengers than ever before.
  • Lack of connectivity in the sky creates undue stress before the flight.
  • Inconsistency of Wi-Fi service, inaccurate marketing, and usage restrictions among top frustrations.

OneWeb, the global space-based communications company, has today released initial findings from its first OneWeb Connected Passenger Report, an extensive survey of passenger attitudes toward air travel and inflight connectivity (IFC) in the post-pandemic landscape. To undertake the research, OneWeb partnered with leading independent international research agency, TAG Research, to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative sample was collected in twenty-seven individual, hour-long interviews with frequent flyers across 5 key groups including corporate travel bookers, digital nomads, travel bloggers, and young frequent flyers. The qualitative data was obtained through a detailed survey completed by 4,110 individuals from across the US, UK, Singapore and the UAE.

Today, OneWeb shares with the airline industry a complimentary whitepaper featuring the key findings from the research. These timely findings clearly indicate a frustration with current connectivity solutions and provide a clear vision of what passengers really want from airlines post-COVID.

Post-pandemic, passengers prioritise quality of life more than ever before, and find frequent travel to be disruptive to their physical and emotional wellbeing. Current IFC services add to the stresses of travel for business and leisure passengers alike, and the survey highlights some of these top frustrations,  including:

  • The prospect of Wi-Fi disconnection in the sky creates undue stress before the flight.
  • 59% of passengers surveyed rating the current quality of IFC between ‘very poor’ to ‘moderate’ on a 7-point scale.
  • Younger digital native passengers are less tolerant of current IFC and dismissive of its usability.
  • 60% of passengers surveyed agree that the while the idea of accessing Wi-Fi in-flight is great, current connections aren’t reliable enough.

Ben Griffin, VP Mobility at OneWeb, commented: “OneWeb is proud to share the results of this survey with our colleagues across the industry, as we work together to better understand and address the needs and demands of modern air passengers. The Connected Passenger Report sheds light on the shifting sentiment of passengers who are demanding better and more consistent connectivity, while also prioritizing well-being and sustainability more than ever before. These insights are incredibly important as we look to build solutions and inflight experiences that cater to the digitally demanding and socially conscious passengers of tomorrow.”

Post-Pandemic Sustainability and Wellbeing Higher on Passenger Agenda

Lockdown’s empty skies sharpened the focus on sustainability, and lessons from lockdown include an amplified commitment to quality of life and wellbeing.

“Sustainability and wellness are very much part of the discussion. It may be that people travel less frequently but stay longer. Sustainability is a conversation that we are having with all our corporate customers” – (Corporate Travel Booker)

Lack of Connectivity in the Sky Causes Stress on the Ground

Being offline inflight induces stress and generates ‘extra work’ for passengers, both pre and post flight.

“I’m literally the last person turning [my data] off.  It does panic me because I just think “oh my God, I won’t be able to send another message”, or you’ll send one and you won’t get the reply.  That is quite stressful”

(Travel Blogger)

People Have Developed Coping Mechanisms to Mitigate Disconnection

Many passengers lament their lack of preparation and relay tales of panicky downloading as they linger at the gate.

“It is quite annoying.  I had to take a photo of every single page of my study book the other day so I could do my homework on the flight.  I had to do it really quickly before the flight”

(Young Frequent Flyer)

Current IFC is not relied upon – so many people do not even bother with it

In a finding sure to alarm the IFC industry, 7 out of 10 respondents claim they’ve never tried inflight Wi-Fi citing perceived unreliability, cost and pre-established coping mechanisms as their reason for not connecting. 43% of those who have call the experience frustrating. As a result, passengers are generally reluctant to abandon their coping mechanisms and continue to dedicate a significant amount of time and effort to preparing for disconnection during the flight.

Commenting on the results, Ben Griffin said “Despite the significant investment airlines are making in their IFC offering, it is clear the current in-flight connectivity experience is not consistently delivering on the needs of today’s connected passenger with a majority of passengers not even taking the time to connect. The flying public have spoken, and these results underscore a huge opportunity for airlines to improve their passengers experience, and loyalty by enhancing their IFC”.

Great Wi-Fi Onboard Can Contribute to a Sense of Well-Being

When passengers pause and think about their entire travel experience, the notion of being empowered to drop their coping mechanisms and free up time pre-and post-flight has tangible appeal. In the survey, 56% of passengers said they’d use better Wi-Fi to access entertainment of their choice, 48% said they’d feel happier keeping in touch with people on the ground, and 41% said they’d like to keep on top of work while flying.

Early Adopters of better Inflight Wi-Fi Stand to Gain from Improving Travel Wellness

Passengers were adamant that airlines which provide consistently high-quality IFC will stand apart from the competition and inspire loyalty.

“It would almost definitely impact our choice of airline. Good internet connectivity would be a game changer for us”

(Digital Nomad)

Commenting on the outcome of the study, Rachel Orgueil, Partner at TAG Research said:

“Our hypothesis at the outset of this project was that improved connectivity would be broadly welcomed by passengers and enhance their inflight experience.  Our research revealed the benefits of IFC are far more compelling and extensive, with the potential to positively impact the entire travel experience and passengers’ well-being. There is every indication that airlines will need to provide high quality IFC as a standardized part of their offer once it is available.”

Over the coming weeks and months, OneWeb will delve deeper into the data and sharing additional insights with the aviation sector.

Methodology:

Quantitative data was collected in a survey completed by 4,110 individuals from across the US, UK, Singapore and the UAE. Research took place between February and March 2022. The qualitative research was collected through interviews with frequent flyers across five topics (including digital nomads, travel bloggers, journalists, corporate travel bookers and young frequent flyers).

See the OneWeb Connected Passenger Report here:

https://go.oneweb.net/aviation/passenger_survey


CarlisleIT

Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (CarlisleIT), a division of Carlisle Companies (CSL), is featuring new satellite communications products for commercial aviation at the AIX 2022 show in Hamburg, Germany, including the Ka1717 Adapter Plate, Skirt, Radome and ThinKom’s proprietary VICTS antennas in partnership with ThinKom, and the Integrated Adapter Plate and Thermal Management System in partnership with Gilat Satellite Networks. CarlisleIT will be present throughout the show at stand number 4B40.

The Ka1717 platform is geared toward regional jets, single aisle, and VVIP aircraft to enable connectivity for passengers and support high-bandwidth services such as streaming, collaboration tools, messaging platforms, and social media. It features a low-profile radome for reduced drag as well as a new, simplified adapter plate design, all to significantly reduce weight, operational costs and initial investment for operators. CarlisleIT provides installation design, certification services, and kit manufacturing to support the integration of the system equipment provided by ThinKom.

“This antenna addresses performance limitations that do not meet today’s connectivity requirements, especially for regional jets,” said Chris Rawley, product line manager for aircraft connectivity solutions at CarlisleIT. “We are investing in a Satcom installation package for what we believe is an underserved market, and we are bringing high-bandwidth connectivity to fleets that are currently limited to low-performing air-to-ground (ATG) systems.”

CarlisleIT’s Integrated Adapter Plate and Thermal Management System (TMS), is a custom installation package design which accommodates fully-functional ESAs developed and tested by Gilat Satellite Networks for use with multiple satellite constellations. The TMS can easily be scaled to interface with other Electronically Steered Array antennas and provides a low-profile, compact installation, supporting gate-to-gate SATCOM operability.

“The integration of the CarlisleIT thermal management system into the adapter plate structure combined with Gilat’s ESA terminal demonstrates a solution that fits on smaller aircraft with a compact antenna footprint, yet surpasses connectivity performance expectations,” said David Grice, business development manager at CarlisleIT. “With both installation packages, we are excited to demonstrate the power of partnering with companies creating the latest technologies, like ThinKom and Gilat, and integrating them into the ever-changing landscape as it develops.”

CarlisleIT’s vertical integration allows them to provide interconnect solutions encompassing every facet of design and production – from component manufacturing to fully-integrated engineered solutions – for a variety of product needs. CarlisleIT leads the market in aerospace SATCOM installation solutions, with over 2,500 installations delivered worldwide.

Visit the CarlisleIT booth at the show, or contact Chris Rawley at christopher.rawley@carlisleit.com or David Grice at david.grice@carlisleit.com for more information.

ASIP Tech Selected by Wizz Air for Free Inflight Connectivity

AS-IP Tech announced it has signed an agreement with Wizz Air (LSE: WIZZ) to provide connectivity on its fleet of A320 and A321 UK based aircraft.

In a world first, Wizz Air will integrate AS-IP Tech’s fflya Bluetooth platform into its mobile app and provide free messaging (SMS, Email and WhatsApp) to its passengers. It will be marketed as TEXT&FLY BY WIZZ.

ASIP Tech President Ron Chapman said “Following months of successful flight testing, we are delighted to be selected by Wizz Air pioneering our new generation of inflight connectivity.  We look forward to working with WIZZ and building on our unique messaging technology that provides the foundation for enhanced services including, inflight live payment, real-time telemetry and E Commerce.”

Marion Geoffroy, Managing Director at Wizz Air UK, said “At Wizz Air, we are always looking to enhance the customer experience, which is why we are delighted to now offer our customers free connectivity for messaging onboard our UK flights. TEXT&FLY BY WIZZ underlines our commitment to enhancing our digital offering and putting customer satisfaction first.”


China Airlines Continues To Deploy FlightPath3D Fleet-Wide With New Second Screen 3D Technology

FlightPath3D, the global leader in moving map innovation and technology, announces that China airlines has deployed the first, full, 3D second screen on its A321neo inflight entertainment (IFE) system powered by Safran, using FlightPath3D’s ‘any device, any platform’ technology.

China Airlines is working towards integrating a single map experience across all its platforms.

China Airlines joins Air France, ANA, and Kuwait by offering passengers a consistent experience on its A321neo, A330-300 and B737-800 IFE with FlightPath3D’s technology.

In addition to the interactive moving map experience, FlightPath3D also offers a range of apps to create a seamless passenger experience. One of the most engaging is the whimsical kids map that lets children discover animals, oceans, countries, and other landmarks around their destination. The moving map and kids map are available in 3D, and can be added to an airline’s suite of IFE offerings to give travelers a totally immersive experience.

“China Airlines recognizes the second-screen experience is essential to captivate passengers and keep them engaged throughout their travel experience. Having a full, 3D map in your hand while watching a movie on your seatback is a game-changer for the passenger, and opens the doorway for innovative opportunities for the airline to reach its customers,” says FlightPath3D President Duncan Jackson.

“We’re excited to have the most advanced 3D map available on our seatback and mobile devices simultaneously on our A321neo,” says China Airlines VP, Corporate Development Office, Jeremy Chang. “FlightPath3D’s engaging moving map technology on our second screen, plus the flexibility to add the kids app on our IFE, shows FlightPath3D’s ability to work with us to drive our initiatives of providing the best inflight experience for all passengers.”

“Our ‘any device’ approach makes it possible to track and search flights, plan things to do, and drive revenue on any or all IFE platforms,” says Jackson.


Astronics Announces Strategic Partnership with LG Display for OLED Technology in Aviation 

Astronics Corporation, a leading provider of advanced technologies for global aerospace, defense, and other mission critical industries, today announced a strategic partnership with LG Display to bring their industry leading OLED display technologies to the aviation marketplace. This relationship provides Astronics access to LG Display’s broad family of industry leading OLED displays as well as technical support for development and integration from LG Display engineering resources.

“Astronics and LG Display have successfully collaborated to develop and deliver over 100 aviation qualified 4k OLED products. Given our early success, we are advancing our partnership with LG Display, and expect to continue to leverage our combined capabilities to develop and launch new products for the aviation industry,” commented Taylor Prosba, Vice President & General Manager of Astronics Custom Control Concepts.

Patrick Park, LG Display Team Leader/US Large Display Sales Team, commented, “We are very excited to work with the Astronics team and continue to provide innovative OLED technologies to the avionics industry.”

Representatives from Astronics will be at Stand B41 during the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) from May 23-25, 2022. Featured will be a full product demonstration including the new 77 inch 4K OLED, the largest aircraft certified smart display on the market.


Philippine Airlines Extends Support Contract for 777 and A320 Engines

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has signed an extension to its flight hour support contract with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance for the GE90 engines powering its Boeing 777 fleet, as well for the CFM56-5B engines fitted on its Airbus A320 aircraft.

Following a successful restructuring process in 2021, the Philippine flag carrier has established a new fleet plan. AFI KLM E&M will support PAL with GE90 shop visits for as long as the 777 serves on the airline’s fleet. Cooperation is also extended on the CFM56-5B engines for PAL’s A320s serving domestic and regional routes.

Adaptiveness, in all weathers

It is during storms that you know how to recognize your real partners, those who understand you best. As an Airline-MRO, AFI KLM E&M knows perfectly what are the operator’s constraints and did its utmost to support Philippine Airlines. Throughout the pandemic, Philippine Airlines could rely on the Adaptiveness® mindset of AFI KLM E&M.  During PAL’s restructuring phase, AFI KLM E&M remained available and attentive as a service partner, in order to build the best response to the needs of the Philippine carrier. The signing of this engine contract extension builds on that positive relationship.

Alvin Limqueco, SVP-Supply Chain Management at Philippine Airlines said: “We value the partnership we have with the AFI KLM E&M teams, who have been a loyal ally throughout the uncertainty of the last two years.  PAL and AFI KLM E&M have kept strong communication lines during the pandemic, and we look forward to continuing our robust ties as they continue to support our fleet requirements in the future through this extended agreement”.

Pierre Teboul, SVP Commercial AFI KLM E&M, added: “We are pleased and proud to have found a long-term partner in PAL. Since the beginning of our cooperation on the GE90 engine, we have put all our expertise at their disposal and ensured continuity of service. We have come out of this period stronger and our relationship of trust has been consolidated”.


Airbus Extends Satellite Based Landing System (SLS) Capability to A320 Family

Airbus has delivered the first Airbus A320neo equipped with the latest Satellite Based Landing System (SLS) technology to long standing customer easyJet. SLS enables pilots to perform ‘straight-in’ approaches using satellite precision when coming into land at airports, without the need for additional ground-based systems such as *ILS, even in low-visibility conditions, while saving fuel and reducing emissions.

SLS first entered service in Europe with the A350 in 2015 after Airbus had successfully pioneered its development and introduction for *CAT1 approaches with support of the EU Agency for the Space Program (EUSPA) – formerly known as the GSA – and the European Commission. An SLS function is also available on A220 and A330 aircraft families and in progress for the A380.

“By using SLS, airlines benefit from improved operational capabilities and operational efficiency,” says Philippe Mhun, Airbus Head of Programs and Services. “We are very pleased to offer this new Air Traffic Management capability now on the A320 Family, which demonstrates how Airbus is keeping its aircraft at the cutting-edge of technology.” He adds: “The introduction of satellite-based technologies highlights the benefit of Airbus’ cross-divisional collaboration. With Airbus Defense and Space being one of the world leaders in satellite technology, we take advantage of this expertise and apply it to commercial aviation. We are grateful for the excellent support provided by the EUSPA and the European Commission.”

Airbus is also developing the new generation of EGNOS, the European Satellite Based Augmentation System. “Airbus is engaged and committed to the delivery of the next version of the program by 2027,” stated François Gaullier, Head of Telecom and Navigation at Airbus Defense and Space. “SLS users will seamlessly benefit from the increase in performance as the service becomes available at additional European destinations.”

David Morgan, Director of Flight Operations, easyJet, said: “We are excited about this latest technological development as it represents another step towards further improvement of the efficiency of our operations while helping us to reduce fuel usage and therefore tackle our carbon emissions.  “We believe that modernizing the aviation sector is a crucial goal requiring the joint and coordinated effort of the entire industry. We are committed to support the development of new technologies, together with our partners across the industry, allowing us to operate in the most efficient and technologically-advanced way possible for the safety of our customers and the protection of our planet.”

The A320neo Family incorporates new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver at least 20 percent fuel and CO2 savings, as well as a 50 percent noise footprint reduction. At the end of April 2022 the A320neo Family had received more than 8,000 orders from around 130 customers. Since its entry into service six years ago, Airbus has delivered over 2,200 A320neo Family aircraft contributing to 15 million tons of CO2 saving versus the previous generation aircraft which they replace.

 

 

(Today’s image is from China Airlines’ boarding video)

STELLAR ENTERTAINMENT

IFE content specialists Stellar Entertainment recently collaborated with China Airlines to produce a customized boarding video to warmly welcome passengers onboard in a unique way. The video, which rolled out across the fleet in the first quarter of 2022, conveys the airline’s brand, values and message via soothing music and alluring visuals that resonate the beauty of Taiwan.

In addition to decades of experience curating, acquiring and delivering a broad range of IFE content for airline clients, Stellar Entertainment also has a reputation for creating engaging bespoke content, especially original boarding music. Through its studio production arm, the creative team worked closely with China Airlines to deliver a captivating boarding video encompassing five thematic segments.

Stellar’s Creative Director Brad Power shares, “One of the challenges during this project relates to the video duration. At approximately 14 minutes, both the visual content and music had to take the passenger on a journey. The ebb and flow, and musical dynamics must all contribute to the outcome and leave the viewer with the desired mood and mindset.”

The process began by briefing Stellar’s in-house composer who came up with a musical direction that would guide the work of Stellar’s graphic designer and video editor. One of the unique aspects of the China Airlines boarding video is the usage of Stellar’s very own original music composition, tailored to align perfectly with the visuals and with the airline’s requirements.

Meanwhile, the images used throughout the video were sourced from stock libraries, but primarily licensed work from a freelance photographer specialising in time lapse footage of picturesque Taiwanese scenes. Great care and much time were invested to meticulously select over 80 images along with subsequent graphic text accompanying the visuals. “It certainly helps that in visually showcasing the beauty of Taiwan, we had a wonderful palette of images to choose from, ranging from natural landscapes, cityscapes, famous Taiwanese attractions, wildlife and more,” remarks Power. By using these existing high-quality images, Stellar was able to save on expenses and time spent shooting the footage on-location.


INMARSAT

Inmarsat unveiled initial details of a major upgrade program that will increase the inflight broadband speeds offered by its Jet ConneX(JX) business aviation solution. Information about the ground-breaking program, titled JX Evolution, were announced for the first time at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Switzerland.

JX Evolution will set an unprecedented new standard for business aviation inflight connectivity by leveraging Inmarsat’s global Ka-band satellite network, including enhanced capabilities from its highly advanced upcoming satellites, in addition to the latest terminal technology from partners.

Initial testing for the upcoming program has already demonstrated speeds in excess of 130 megabits per second (Mbps) using Inmarsat’s existing satellites. This will enable users to simultaneously connect even more devices and enjoy even the most data-hungry applications, such as high definition video, without interruption. As an example, it would take 23 seconds to download a high definition movie.

Speeds will further increase as a result of Inmarsat’s fully-funded technology roadmap, with seven satellite payloads being introduced to its Ka-band constellation, increasing the total number to 12. This includes two Inmarsat-6s, the most sophisticated commercial communications satellites ever built, which enter service next year. They will be followed by two payloads in highly elliptical orbit, enabling the world’s only commercial mobile broadband service for business jets flying in higher latitudes and across the Arctic, then three more satellites in geostationary orbit – adding further speed, capacity and resilience.

JX Evolution will also leverage the latest terminal advancements from Inmarsat’s partners, which are compatible with a wide range of business jets, using cutting-edge technology and lightweight designs to optimize performance, reduce costs and simplify the installation and maintenance processes.

Kai Tang, Inmarsat’s Head of Business Aviation, said “Inmarsat’s Jet ConneX is regarded as the gold standard of business aviation connectivity and its market leadership has only been reinforced following the pandemic, with soaring demand for inflight broadband that is fast, reliable and consistent across all flight routes. Inmarsat’s JX Evolution follows our ethos of building ahead of demand and the new service plans that will launch as part of this program will redefine the concept of premium connectivity.

“Speeds in excess of 130Mbps are exciting and customers can expect even higher numbers as we launch more advanced satellites in the coming years. Our fully funded technology roadmap will offer more than enough capacity to meet the needs of existing and future customers through to 2030 and beyond. We are especially excited about the second generation terminals that our partners are building to join the very successful JetWave terminal currently used for JX.”

JX Evolution will lead to a new range of service plans for JX, which first entered commercial service in November 2016 and has been activated on more than 1,150 aircraft to date. As the business aviation market’s leading inflight connectivity service, it offers the same level of reliable, consistent and high-speed broadband that was previously only available on the ground, supporting a wide range of online activities, such as video streaming, live television, video calls, large file transfers and VPN.

JX is the preferred linefit option of all major business jet manufacturers, including Gulfstream, Bombardier and Dassault. Type certificates and supplemental type certificates (STCs) for the service have been received from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) across all popular platforms, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket maintenance repair and overhaul service providers (MROs).


SEAMLESS AIR ALLIANCE

The Seamless Air Alliance, which continues to lead the development and implementation of Global Standards for Inflight Connectivity, today launched an Inflight Connectivity (IFC) Analysis Toolkit to help airlines adopt vetted, trusted metrics for measuring and comparing IFC Service Quality in RFPs and performance management conversations.

The IFC Analysis Toolkit provides a clear set of features and measurements to recognize and manage IFC Service Quality. Included in the toolkit are a suite of easy-to-use documents and a comprehensive Compliance Criteria Matrix that can be used by an airline to simplify the process of assembling an RFP, comparing responses, and opening discussions with both current and prospective suppliers.

Gordon Shelhon, Senior Technology Manager at American Airlines said, “The industry as a whole is making a huge leap forward by adopting the compliance criteria metrics defined in the Seamless Air Alliance IFC Analysis Toolkit. As a network engineer with decades of experience in wireless technology, I remember when connectivity at 500+ MPH was first introduced. At the time, connectivity was a new concept and airlines deployed these systems with little insight into the customer experience. SLA’s were limited to measurements for availability that only required a simple ping, which didn’t give the airline or supplier any insight into the customer experience. With the introduction of the Seamless Air Alliance IFC Analysis Toolkit, airlines adopting these standards will be better positioned to develop meaningful SLA’s with a focus on customer experience and metrics that truly reflect that experience.”

Commenting on the launch, Jack Mandala, Seamless Air Alliance Chief Executive Officer said that “Airlines looking for a new connectivity system can use the IFC Analysis Toolkit as a basis for building RFP criteria and comparing suppliers during the process. Airlines with existing providers, can use the toolkit to better understand the experience that passengers are having with their inflight connectivity system by ensuring they are tracking the right metrics. In both scenarios the winner is the airline passenger.”

The standardized measurements provided in the IFC Analysis Toolkit were built from the ground up based on years of knowledge and experience from airlines and experts across the industry. The Seamless Air Alliance believes that tracking these measures helps provide a true picture of the passengers’ experience that is otherwise lost in aggregate metrics.

The IFC Analysis Toolkit is available for no-charge to current Seamless Air Alliance Members and is available for purchase to non-members. Airlines that are not currently Seamless Air Alliance Members can join for free and gain access to the IFC Toolkit.


DEUTSCHE TELEKOM & INMARSAT

Deutsche Telekom and Inmarsat have boosted the capacity of their award-winning European Aviation Network(EAN) inflight broadband solution by collaborating with Tampnet, a global leader in providing high capacity, low latency and reliable connectivity to offshore installations, mobile rigs and vessels.

The additional coverage follows the installation and maintenance of five EAN antenna sites on offshore production platforms in the North Sea. Two additional antenna sites are being placed in offshore wind farms within the coastal waters of Germany and the Netherlands (exclusive economic zones) and one more is already operational onshore in Norway. The new sites are located strategically to further enhance EAN’s high-speed passenger connectivity on flights in Northern Europe, including high-density flight routes between the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. They complement the 300 LTE-based ground network antenna sites already set up across Europe and will further strengthen EAN’s combined satellite and air-to-ground network performance.

The five sea-based antenna sites are co-located on the top of existing communication infrastructure on offshore production platforms and therefore benefit from Tampnet’s extensive fibre network in the area. The necessary equipment elements were brought in via helicopter in often challenging weather conditions and installed according to stringent security requirements on the offshore production platforms. All engineering and installation activities were conducted in close cooperation with the platform owners and operators.

Rolf Nafziger, Senior Vice President of Deutsche Telekom Global Carrier, said “With the installation of eight more antenna sites in and around the North Sea, we are proud to bring additional network capacity to an already exceptional connectivity service. The European Aviation Network gives European aviation a global advantage: Airlines get high speed and scalable connectivity with low operating costs and pan-European coverage. Passengers get a seamless service that is as good as a broadband connection on the ground.”

Philippe Carette, President of Inmarsat Aviation, said “The European Aviation Network is well established as the continent’s fastest inflight broadband solution, available to millions of passengers on short and medium haul flights with British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and AEGEAN. For airlines, it has played an important role in enhancing the onboard experience, unlocking new revenue opportunities and instilling greater confidence in air travel. This latest enhancement coincides with the third anniversary of the service being offered to passengers by our airline customers, with passenger usage at record highs following the pandemic.”

Elie Hanna, CEO of Tampnet said: “Tampnet is very proud to partner with Deutsche Telekom and Inmarsat on such an innovative project. Our extensive offshore network was the perfect fit for the EAN project. Installing and maintaining an LTE network offshore is very challenging and we were honoured to have the opportunity to extend our expertise and engage in such an innovative and significant project for Europe and the aviation industry. Going forward, Tampnet will support the project by delivering fibre backhaul and maintenance to the base stations providing additional coverage to the airspace above the North Sea. The fact that the network is fully supported by our subsea network ensures its scalability for future capacity needs.”

The network enhancement marks an exciting new development for EAN, which is the world’s first inflight broadband solution that combines dedicated satellite coverage with a complementary LTE-based ground network. Offering incomparable speeds, uninterrupted coverage and significantly lower latency than any other inflight Wi-Fi network in the continent, it allows passengers to seamlessly browse the internet, stream videos, check social media, enjoy real-time interactive applications such as gaming, and more.

Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom recently celebrated the third anniversary of EAN being offered commercially by airline customers. To date, more than 55 million passengers have enjoyed access to the advanced, high-speed connectivity solution on over 440,000 flights across the continent. Its popularity reached new heights last year, with record usage as passengers returned to the skies. This aligns with Inmarsat’s latest Passenger Confidence Tracker, the largest global survey of its kind, which found that 41% of the 10,000 respondents believed inflight Wi-Fi had further increased in importance post pandemic.

Specifically designed to meet the needs of European aviation, EAN delivers the fastest speeds over one of the world’s most congested airspaces, plus the quickest installation times and easy scalability to meet growing future demand. It has now been activated on over 270 aircraft, including the entire British Airways short-haul fleet. These numbers will continue to grow in the coming years, as final roll-out progresses with Iberia and Vueling – both members of the International Airlines Group (IAG) alongside British Airways – in addition to all of Greek carrier AEGEAN’s existing and new Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft.


SITA

The global mishandled baggage rate has spiked by 24% to 4.35 bags per thousand passengers in 2021 as the industry recovers from the pandemic, according to the SITA Baggage IT Insights 2022.

The report shows passenger traffic has evolved since 2020, with most of the 2021 recovery being driven by domestic travel, but the resumption of international and long-haul flights is contributing to an increase in mishandling.

Transfer bags continue to account for most mishandled bags. An increase in long-haul flights with connections in 2021 has pushed up the bags delayed at transfer to 41%, which is 4 points increase from 2020. The mishandling rate at the global level on international routes is 8.7, yet only 1.85 for domestic routes. Put differently, at a global level, the likelihood of mishandling a bag is about 4.7 times higher on international routes compared to domestic routes.

Delayed bags accounted for 71% of all mishandled bags in 2021 – a 2 points increase from 2020. At the same time, the number of lost and stolen bags increased slightly to 6%, while those damaged and pilfered decreased to 23%.

Airlines, ground handlers, and airports have downsized to maintain viability during the pandemic, which has impacted resources and expertise dedicated to baggage management. Unaddressed, this challenge may see the mishandling rate continue to creep up and become much higher than it was pre-pandemic.

David Lavorel, CEO, SITA, said: “The industry now needs to do more with less. As we emerge from the pandemic, our customers’ focus remains on safely managing the end-to-end transport of passengers’ baggage, but now they must also reduce the total cost and training required. There is significant pressure to increase operational efficiency, which is accelerating digitalization.”

In 2021 investment in self-service initiatives continued to increase. A large majority of airports and almost all airlines are prioritizing touchless bag tagging options that rely on kiosks and passengers’ mobile devices. Implementation of unassisted bag drop is increasing, with 90% of airlines and three-quarters of airports planning to make touchless unassisted self-bag drop available by 2024.

Digitalization also ensures that the recovery progresses efficiently, saving resources and ensuring operations can quickly adapt to fluctuating passenger numbers. There is no better way to ensure efficiency in baggage operations than to avoid mishandling in the first place, preventing the additional costs and resources required to repatriate bags to their owners.

“SITA has worked to refine its baggage portfolio to do just that, with the introduction of innovative solutions such as SITA WorldTracer Lost and Found Property, an artificial intelligence-enabled solution that solves a million-dollar headache for the air transport industry: how to quickly return items left behind on aircraft or in airports to their owners. Using cutting-edge technology such as computer vision, machine learning, and natural language processing, WorldTracer Lost and Found Property searches a global database of images and descriptions to match the found item to a missing item report.

“We will continue to collaborate and support the industry to reduce mishandled baggage rates while driving operational efficiencies and sustainable solutions when needed the most,” said Lavorel.

Download the SITA Baggage IT Insights 2022 report here.


OTHER NEWS

  • We want to point you toward Akins Laws of Spacecraft Design for some interesting philosophical views of reality decision making. Here is an example, number 12: “There is never a single right solution. There are always multiple wrong ones, though.” And yes, there are 45 more here : Akin’s Laws of Spacecraft Design

LUFTHANSA SELECTS PANASONIC AVIONICS

Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) has been selected by Lufthansa to provide its NEXT in-flight entertainment (IFE) system and enhanced connectivity solutions for the carrier’s flagship Boeing 747-8 fleet.

Panasonic Avionics’ NEXT IFE system will be retrofitted on Lufthansa’s 19 Boeing 747-8s, with the first due to be rolled out in summer 2024.

This higher performance system will provide Lufthansa’s passengers with a superior, immersive cinematic experience using the latest 4K screen technology, with faster network speeds and higher storage capacity.

Business Class passengers will enjoy an enhanced IFE experience with up to 24-inch 4K screens, a large 10-inch additional control unit, high power USB–A / USB-C, AC power and wireless charging capabilities. Premium Economy Class passengers will experience an upgraded 16-inch 4K screen, with a 13-inch 4K screen for Economy Class passengers, both with high power USB-A and USB-C charging.

The companies also announced the renewal of connectivity services offered by Panasonic Avionics. Broadband connectivity, which is already installed on Lufthansa widebody aircraft, uses Panasonic Avionics’ global network of high-speed, high-bandwidth satellites to live up to the connectivity expectations of Lufthansa’s passengers. Mobile phone connectivity will also be upgraded to 4G speeds on Lufthansa’s 747-8 aircraft.

Ken Sain, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics, said, “We are delighted to be partnering once again with Lufthansa with this upgrade of the passenger experience on their flagship long-haul fleet. Introducing our NEXT Series and latest generation connectivity on board this world-class airline will help drive greater passenger loyalty and add value to their brand.”

Paul Estoppey, Head of Product Management Cabin at Lufthansa Group, said: “We are thrilled to be joining forces with Panasonic Avionics again. Our Boeing 747-8s are an integral part of our long-haul fleet, and we’re confident that this investment in Panasonic Avionics’ in-flight entertainment will be popular with our passengers.”


TURKISH AIRLINES SELECTS ANUVU

Anuvu, a provider of high-speed connectivity and entertainment solutions for worldwide mobility markets, with its in-country partner Profen, announces the launch of commercial passenger inflight connectivity (IFC) service on Turkish Airlines’ Airbus A321 and Boeing B737NG narrow-body aircraft.  

Anuvu’s Airconnect Global Connectivity system for Turkish Airlines incorporates Turkish Technic servers and wireless access points, and Profen’s Turkiye-based terrestrial infrastructure to provide Turkish Airlines’ passengers a world-class uninterrupted (gate-to-gate) inflight connectivity experience. As part of the installation program, Anuvu obtained European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval for three internally developed Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for the installation of its Airconnect Global Ku IFC system onboard Airbus A321, Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-900ER aircraft. As of May 16, the system has been implemented on 13 aircraft and it is planned to complete installations on 103 aircraft by Q2 2023.  

Prof. Ahmet Bolat, Turkish Airlines’ Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, said “Our successful partnership with Anuvu, Profen and Turkish Technic has culminated in bringing our passengers the fastest and most reliable connectivity in the market. Accomplishing this great milestone through the challenges of COVID-19 is something of which the entire team is very proud. This launch of the commercial entry into service reaffirms our commitment to the partnership.”  

Mike Pigott, Anuvu’s Executive Vice President Connectivity said, “The joint effort between Anuvu, Profen, and our partners at Turkish Airlines and Turkish Technic is a testament to how high-performing teams can succeed and overcome obstacles. Through collaboration and partnership, we were able to bring together all necessary components—from network to infrastructure to hardware—to provide Turkish Airlines’ passengers with high-speed Wi-Fi.”  

Pigott continued, “We look forward to our continued work with Turkish Airlines, a leading airline in customer service maximizing passenger satisfaction, and Profen, a well-respected company who delivers innovative and high technology solutions to customers worldwide.” 

Onder Havuzlu, Profen’s Chief Executive Officer said, “Combining our national engineering experience with  Anuvu’s IFC expertise and Turkish Technic’s superior maintenance capabilities enables us to provide secure, high-quality data connectivity solutions for Turkish Airlines and the Turkish commercial aviation market. Our investment in local teleport facilities and terrestrial network infrastructure made the internet connectivity secure and reliable, while respecting the local regulations. We are excited to be the part of inflight connectivity service on Turkish Airlines’ narrow-body aircraft with Anuvu.”  

Anuvu’s Airconnect Global Ku solution is an affordable high-speed Internet connectivity product used by the most innovative airlines and installed on over 1,000 aircraft worldwide. The satellite-based solution enables an extensive entertainment experience for Turkish Airlines to enhance the passenger experience. For more information, visit www.anuvu.com.     

Profen teleports and internet hosting facilities provide full redundancy and optimal systems with active services based on Ka, Ku, C, S and X band. Profen customers can co-locate their equipment, avoiding large capital expenditures and benefiting from 24-hour monitoring and security, uninterrupted power, and maintaining full control of their network and remotes through dedicated and authorized access people.


INMARSAT & HONEYWELL LAUNCH L-BAND IFEC SERVICE

Inmarsat and Honeywell are setting a new benchmark in satellite communications with the launch of SwiftJet, their latest inflight connectivity service for the business aviation industry. It will enter commercial service in the first half of 2023 and deliver the fastest ever speeds over L-band.

As one of the first new services to be introduced on Inmarsat’s ELERA satellite network, SwiftJet will offer seamless global coverage across flight routes with maximum speeds of 2.6Mbps, up to six times faster than Inmarsat’s existing business aviation connectivity solution over L-band. This will allow passengers to create a secure ‘office in the sky’ with enhanced capabilities for video calls, web browsing, email, texting, cloud-syncing and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams. Social media and video applications such as TikTok and YouTube, which were previously challenging over L-band, will also be enabled.

As the latest addition to Inmarsat’s market-leading portfolio of business aviation inflight connectivity services, SwiftJet will be available alongside Jet ConneX (JX) and SwiftBroadband (SBB), which have been activated on thousands of jets worldwide. JX is the most popular and widely-adopted premium, high-speed solution available today, powered by a global constellation of Ka-band satellites. Additionally, SBB offers speeds of 432Kbps over L-band using smaller antennas that are suitable as a secondary system to JX or as primary connectivity for smaller or older aircraft.

SwiftJet uses advanced hardware from Inmarsat’s partner Honeywell, which can be equipped on a broad range of aircraft and also supports cockpit and safety services. Existing customers of Inmarsat’s SBB service will benefit from a natural upgrade path without needing to replace any externally-mounted aircraft equipment, while new customers will experience the same ease of installation as with any Inmarsat L-band terminal. The service also creates new opportunities in the smaller jet market, which have previously been restricted to basic voice or text connectivity that fails to meet the needs of modern day travelers. It is available to pre-order through Honeywell, with additional incentives in an early adopter campaign.

Inmarsat is launching the ground-breaking service at a critical time for the business aviation industry. Following a period of turbulence over the past two years due to the global pandemic, a recent survey by Inmarsat and Corporate Jet Investor (CJI) found that almost 80% of respondents around the world believe more frequent business aviation flights will be taken in the next year. Furthermore, a staggering 90% feel that online activities will dominate the principals’ time in the air, split between business and leisure.

Kai Tang, Inmarsat’s Head of Business Aviation, said: “Inmarsat prides itself on delivering services that meet the unique and fast-evolving requirements of our customers. As the market leader in business aviation connectivity, Inmarsat developed SwiftJet in response to customer and partner feedback for a faster, more advanced L-band offering. They essentially asked us to amplify L-band capabilities without losing its trademark characteristics of resilience, reliability and availability.

“I am proud to say that SwiftJet delivers all of this and more, unlocking exciting new capabilities in the aircraft cabin and allowing users to connect more devices, and enjoy faster connectivity speeds, whenever and wherever they fly. It comes at a time when business aviation travel is not only returning to pre-pandemic levels, but also experiencing unprecedented demand for inflight connectivity.”

Adam Sheppard, Honeywell Aerospace’s Director of Aircraft Connectivity, said: “SwiftJet represents the latest leap forward for inflight connectivity, combining Inmarsat’s commercial satellite capabilities and Honeywell’s connected aircraft expertise to provide scalable, high-speed satellite communications to passengers at 40,000 feet. With Inmarsat we have created a straightforward upgrade path for SwiftBroadband customers, giving them easy access to unprecedented internet speeds over L-band without having to change wiring or antenna hardware.”

Inmarsat’s ELERA global satellite network delivers the world’s most reliable and flexible global connectivity, with full redundancy and unique resilience in all conditions. ELERA capabilities are being further enhanced with the addition of two Inmarsat-6 satellites, the largest and most sophisticated commercial communications satellites ever built, both of which are scheduled to enter service next year and will support SwiftJet through the 2030s, reinforcing the service’s long-term value. The L-band capacity on each I-6 satellite will be substantially greater than Inmarsat’s 4th generation spacecraft, delivering 50% more capacity per beam in addition to unlimited beam routing flexibility.

The I-6 series of satellites will also play a crucial role in the ongoing growth of Inmarsat’s unique ORCHESTRA dynamic mesh network, which will bring existing geosynchronous (GEO) satellites together with low earth orbit satellites (LEO) and terrestrial 5G to form an integrated, high-performance solution, unmatched by any existing or planned competitor offering.


ONEWEB PARTNERS WITH GOGO BUSINESS AVIATION

OneWeb, a global space-based communications company, has agreed a long-term distribution partnership agreement with Gogo Business Aviation, whereby the in-flight connectivity solutions provider will market and sell OneWeb’s high-speed, low latency inflight broadband services to business aviation users globally.

The agreement, OneWeb’s first announced Distribution Partner for the business aviation market, was signed at EBACE between Ben Griffin, Vice President Mobility at OneWeb and, Jim MacDougall Vice President, Product Management for Gogo. The partnership underlines the commitment OneWeb is making to bring high-speed, global connectivity to the entire aviation eco-system which includes business aviation users.

“We’re committed to developing and deploying a high-speed, consistent and global low-latency connectivity solution for the business aviation industry, that has been developed by the business aviation community. Leveraging the experience and expertise of world class partners such as Gogo is consistent with this approach,” said Griffin.

Through the milestone agreement, Gogo will help unleash the power of OneWeb’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation which will deliver a true ‘office in the sky’ broadband experience to business aviation operators and passengers.

OneWeb selected Gogo owing to its reputation, maturity in the market and deep business aviation heritage. Gogo Business Aviation has more than 4,500 narrowband satcom systems installed and flying worldwide, and is a factory option at every major business aircraft manufacturer.

“For more than 30 years, Gogo Business Aviation has been a driving force behind the technological innovations that have connected the skies,” MacDougall commented. “This agreement with OneWeb enables Gogo to continue to disrupt and innovate to bring our customers superior connectivity solutions while expanding our service to a global audience.”

With performance comparable with terrestrial broadband services, and game-changing latency of less than 100ms – up to 10 times faster than geostationary satellites (GEOs) – OneWeb plans to open a wealth of inflight connectivity (IFC) applications beyond onboard internet delivering an in-flight connectivity experience which like business – is always open.

Aiming to launch aviation services for business aviation in 2024, OneWeb will further enrich global connectivity, capable of delivering high-quality consistent user experiences, including Polar Region coverage, at a time when cabin connectivity is a top ranked priority for private jet buyers and commercial operators.

Passengers will be able to fully participate in necessary business operations such as multiple simultaneous uninterrupted live video conferences and the ability to access cloud solutions such as Office365. It also allows access to premium entertainment including Live TV, content-streaming applications such as Netflix and Amazon Video, as well as keeping in touch with family using FaceTime, WhatsApp, and other similar services.


BAMBOO AIRWAYS SELECTS PANASONIC IFEC

Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics)  announced an agreement with Bamboo Airways to provide its industry-leading in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems (IFEC) for the Vietnamese airline’s widebody fleet.

Panasonic Avionics is installing its award-winning eX3 in-flight entertainment system on the airline’s Boeing 787-9 fleet, with the aircraft entering service on its intercontinental routes to Europe and Australia in recent weeks.

Passengers throughout each aircraft will enjoy an immersive, cinematic experience with HD screens at each seat, complete with capacitive touch displays and handsets, and USB and laptop charging facilities. Business Class passengers will enjoy 18-inch HD screens, with generous 13-inch and 12-inch screens in Premium Economy and Economy Class respectively.

Bamboo Airways has also selected global in-flight connectivity services from Panasonic Avionics which can deliver average speeds up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) to the aircraft. The airline’s in-flight connectivity experience, powered by Panasonic Avionics’ global network of high-speed, high-bandwidth satellites will deliver a host of next-generation connectivity benefits, including fast internet and in-flight mobile phone services.

Ken Sain, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics, said: “We are honored to be partnering with Bamboo Airways’ as they launch intercontinental services. We are confident that our proven in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems will enhance their passenger experience, and help them quickly build customer loyalty on these major new routes.”

Mr. Dang Tat Thang, chairman cum CEO of Bamboo Airways, said: “The diverse and viable Bamboo Sky entertainment system is one of advanced technology solutions that Bamboo Airways has actively installed on the wide-body fleet. With the cooperation with our trusted partner Panasonic Avionics, we expect to bring the most fulfilling flight experience to our passengers on every journey in the future.”


THALES SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH SONAE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

  • S21sec and Excellium are two major players in cybersecurity consulting, integration and managed services in Europe
  • With this acquisition, Thales accelerates its cybersecurity development roadmap and expands its footprint in Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg and Belgium
  • S21sec and Excellium employ 546 people and generated sales of 59 million euros in 2021.

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) announced the signature of a definitive agreement with Sonae Investment Management to acquire two of European leading cybersecurity companies, S21sec and Excellium, gathered under the holding company Maxive Cybersecurity.

This acquisition will complement Thales’ cybersecurity portfolio, strengthening its incident detection and response services (Security Operations Centre – SOC) as well as consulting, audit and integration services.

It will bring an extensive industrial expertise and a solid, diversified customer base of industrial companies and critical infrastructure providers, including in the financial services, government and public services, which accounted for more than 50% of its revenue in 2021.

With 75% of staff at 9 sites in Spain and Portugal, and 25% in Luxembourg and Belgium, it will also materially expand Thales’s European cybersecurity footprint, building on the companies’ strong history of innovation and leadership in cybersecurity.

With 546 employeesS21sec and Excellium businesses together generated 59 million euros in sales in 2021.

The acquisition, for an enterprise value of 120 million euros, is an important step forward for Thales in the highly dynamic market for cybersecurity consulting and managed services, which anticipates significant growth between 2020 and 2025.

As a global leader in cybersecurity, Thales is involved at every level of the cyber value chain, offering solutions ranging from risk assessment to protection of critical infrastructure, supported by comprehensive threat detection and response capabilities. Its offer is built around three families of products and services, which generated more than €1bn in sales in 2021:

  • Cybels solutions portfolio, a complete suite of cybersecurity services including risk assessment, training and simulation, and cyberattack detection and response
  • Sovereign products including encryptors and sensors to protect critical information systems
  • The CipherTrust Data Security Platform, the SafeNet Trusted Access Identity & Access Management as a service solution, and the broader cloud protection & licensing offerings

In 2022, Thales plans to hire 11,000 people worldwide, including 1,000 in cybersecurity.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed during the second half of 2022.

“After the successful acquisitions of Vormetric in 2016 and Gemalto in 2019 that represented a step change in Thales’ data security and encryption expertise, the acquisition of S21sec and Excellium consolidates our leadership in cybersecurity consulting and managed services. We are delighted to welcome the S21sec and Excellium expert teams as part of our fast-growing cybersecurity teams. Together, we will be able to provide solutions that deliver ever higher performance to our customers”. Marc Darmon, EVP Thales, Secure Communications & Information Systems

“As the majority shareholder of the company, we’ve helped Maxive Cybersecurity more than triple its yearly revenues, building on its history of innovation and specialization and helping it become one of Europe’s leading MSSP companies. The acquisition by Thales is the recognition of this exceptional work done by the entire team and the logical next step in Maxive’s journey. We are confident it will be a great opportunity to further grow Maxive’s business and people.” Carlos Alberto Silva, Managing Partner at Sonae Investment Management.


CARLISLE INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGIES’ LAUNCHES NEW OCTAX® PRODUCT

New series of high-performance, multi-port connectors ideal for defense, commercial aviation and industrial applications

Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (CarlisleIT), a division of Carlisle Companies (CSL), launched the newest in its signature line of Octax® high-speed data connectors: the Octax® Hybrid. Ideal for use in the defense, commercial aviation and industrial markets, this new series of high-performance, multi-port connectors combines 10 Gb data with additional discretes in a single 38999 shell. It is available in six standard key configurations to prevent mis-mating with adjacent connectors and multiple finishes to suit every application.

“This connector series combines multiple signal needs in a single package and maintains the data port shields through the connector to ensure excellent noise rejection on multiple data ports. It is high density data and signal in a compact footprint,” said Jeff Behlendorf, director of product management, Integrated Products at CarlisleIT. “Built with top quality materials and designed for easy installation and maintenance, this product truly embodies the CarlisleIT vision of ‘Performance with Purpose.’”

Features and benefits include:

  • High Density: up to 8 Octax® in a size 25 shell
  • Six key configurations in 11, 15, and 25 shell sizes
  • Standard M39029 crimp contacts, enabling re-termination and field repair without the expense of single-use connector solutions
  • Compatible with CarlisleIT 26 & 24 AWG Gigabit Series Ethernet cables
  • Multiple finishes for commercial aviation, industrial, or defense applications
  • Configurable to customer needs

OTHER NEWS

FINNAIR SELECTS PANASONIC AVIONICS FOR WIDEBODY IFE UPGRADE

Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) has been selected by Finnair to upgrade the in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems across the airline’s widebody long-haul fleet.

The IFE upgrade is an integral part of the Nordic cabin enhancements being introduced by Finnair across its long-haul fleet, including the introduction of a brand new Premium Economy cabin.

Panasonic Avionics is installing its latest eX3 system in all cabins on Finnair’s eight Airbus A330-300 aircraft – upgrading them from its eX2 system. Finnair’s 19 A350-900 aircraft, which already carry eX3, will also see their premium cabins upgraded to the latest version of the system.

The first upgraded aircraft entered service in February 2022.

With the upgrade, Finnair’s customers will experience Panasonic Avionics’ award-winning eX3 system in every cabin of its long-haul fleet, including HD screens at each seat, complete with capacitive touch displays and handsets, and USB and laptop charging facilities.

Ken Sain, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said, “Finnair’s innovative and eye-catching widebody cabin enhancements take their passenger experience to a new level. Panasonic Avionics is honored to be contributing to this upgrade with our latest in-flight entertainment solutions, marking the latest chapter in our relationship with this industry-leading carrier.”

Harri Valkama, Digital Channel Lead at Finnair, says: “This upgrade for Finnair reflects our commitment to deliver a premium experience in every cabin on our aircraft. Having the latest technology on board will allow our customers to stay entertained as they travel long-haul. We chose Panasonic Avionics for its innovative solutions and ability to support Finnair developed digital inflight eco-system. We can rest assured that our customers will experience high-quality, state-of-the-art systems.”

Finnair’s in-flight connectivity services are also provided by Panasonic Avionics, and the airline recently became the European launch customer for its ArcTM  map platform.


AIRCRAFT INTERIORS EXPO HAMBURG 2022

After a 2+ year hiatus, AIX Hamburg is slated for 14-16 June 2022. Here are some of the reasons why this event is one you shouldn’t miss:

  • With more than 600+ leading cabin interiors suppliers showcasing their latest products, such as Safran, Lufthansa Technik and Diehl Aviation. Including 100+ new exhibitors to AIX: Invest Northern Ireland, AED Cluster Portugal, AD Aerospace, Hilitech and many more! AIX will efficiently help you find solutions and create your future cabin, as the definitive marketplace for airlines to source new products and services.
  • Visit the IFEC Zone: Test the latest IFEC products to market from more than 50 exhibitors including Inmarsat, Panasonic Avionics, Global Eagle, ViaSat and many more! Dedicated to Inflight Entertainment and connectivity products, the IFEC zone focuses on companies that deliver business solutions that positively impact an airline’s brand, fleet, operational requirements, and business.

Also, on Monday 13 June the Passenger Experience Conference (PEC) will be held.

  • This long-awaited one-day event brings together experts and visionaries from OEMs, airlines, suppliers, airframers, and design organizations to discuss the future of onboard environments, services, and passenger experience. Simply upgrade your ticket when registering for Aircraft Interiors Expo to attend.
  • Industry Networking Party: Free to attend for conference delegates, the Industry Networking Party starts at 18.00, straight after PEC, this unmissable networking event, gives you the opportunity to strengthen relationships with old friends and new as you reconnect with industry colleagues in a relaxed setting, after three years!

NEW CANADIAN CHARTER AIRLINE AEROFLYER TO OFFER CUSTOMERS WIRELESS IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT FROM BLUEBOX

Aeroflyer, a new charter airline based out of Kelowna, British Columbia, and providing passenger charter services across North America, has selected Bluebox Aviation Systems to provide wireless streaming services across its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft.

Initially, Aeroflyer will deploy Bluebox’s digital platform on its first two aircraft using Bluebox’s battery-powered Bluebox Wow hardware. The airline will then migrate to the aircraft-powered version of Bluebox Wow as they expand their fleet.

“Launching a new airline on the back of the most challenging times our sector has endured, meant we had to come away from the gate with the most compelling offering available. With more passengers today expecting some kind of digital service on board, it was a case of W-IFE being a ‘must have’,” said Brad Schroeder, Manager, Engineering. “Just as we work with our airline and corporate charter customers to deliver excellence, we know how important it is to have partners who excel in what they do, are flexible and supportive. Throughout the pandemic Bluebox has helped us to configure a digital platform on a hardware configuration that will suit our needs as a charter airline as it grows, with the variety of purpose required for an IFE system offering today.”

The Bluebox system will offer movies, TV programs, and a moving map to Aeroflyer’s charter customers – workers flying to Canadian oil fields, sports teams, and other corporate clients; and can be adapted to align with airline customers chartering Aeroflyer aircraft to supplement their fleet.

Speaking about securing another Canadian airline customer, Bluebox CEO Kevin Clark said: “These are exciting times as we come out of the pandemic with our existing customers returning to and enhancing their Bluebox deployments, and new airlines like Aeroflyer entrusting us in introducing a flexible and powerful digital platform to deliver a rich inflight experience from service launch.”

Bluebox’s digital engagement platform provides digital services and content streamed to passenger devices in any aircraft cabin. These include revenue generating services such as onboard retail – including touch-free payments, advertising, and more traditional in-flight entertainment, including a wide range of film, TV, audio, games, and reading material. Bluebox Wow is a discrete, lunchbox-sized unit, typically stowed securely in overhead bins, which creates the captive Wi-Fi network on board and delivers the digital services directly to passenger phones, tablets, and laptops.


JetBlue SUBMITS SUPERIOR PROPOSAL TO ACQUIRE SPIRIT, POSITIONING AMERICA’S MUCH-LOVED AIRLINE AS THE MOST COMPELLING NATIONAL LOW-FARE CHALLENGER TO THE ‘BIG FOUR’ AIRLINES

  • All-Cash Offer of $33 Per Share Represents a 52% Premium to Spirit’s Undisturbed Share Price on February 4, 2022, and a 50% Premium to Spirit’s Closing Price on April 4, 2022

  • Travelers Shouldn’t Have to Choose Between a Low Fare and a Great Experience; Accelerated JetBlue Growth Would Allow Combined Airline to Offer Both to More Customers in More Places

  • ‘JetBlue Effect’ Is More Effective Than Ultra-Low-Cost Carriers in Introducing Competition and Bringing Down Legacy Carrier Fares

  • Combination Would Provide Job Growth and Opportunities for Crewmembers, a Strengthened Commitment to New York and Florida, and Expanded Reach of JetBlue’s Sustainability Efforts

  • Shareholders Would Benefit From JetBlue’s Enhanced Financial Strength, Accelerating Revenue Growth and Profitability; Expected to Deliver Run-Rate Operational Synergies of $600-700 Million and to be Accretive to EPS in Year One

  • Strong Confidence in Ability to Close in a Timely Manner; No JetBlue Shareholder Vote Required; Financing Certainty


AIR LEASE CORPORATION ADDS 32 BOEING 737 MAX JETS TO ITS ORDERBOOK

Boeing and Air Lease Corp. (ALC) announced the aircraft lessor is expanding its airplane portfolio with an order for 32 additional 737-8 and 737-9 jets. As the travel market recovers, ALC is increasing its 737 MAX family offering to meet airline demand for modern, fuel-efficient and sustainable operations.

“Following our memorandum of understanding with Boeing in February for these 32 737 MAX aircraft, we are pleased to announce the signing of this definitive purchase agreement. We believe that the economic and operating advantages of the 737 MAX will serve our airline customers well as they favor modern, fuel efficient aircraft,” said John L. Plueger, Chief Executive Officer and President of Air Lease Corporation.

ALC continues to grow its investment in the 737 MAX family. In February the lessor added 18 737 MAXs to its portfolio. With the new order, ALC has 130 737 MAXs in its backlog.

With commonality and improved fuel efficiency, the 737 MAX family enables airlines to optimize their fleets across a broad range of missions while reducing fuel use and carbon emissions by at least 20% compared to the airplanes they replace. With the 737 MAX, ALC customers can choose airplanes that are optimized to suit multiple markets based on range and size while offering commonality for pilots and crew. The versatility of the 737 MAX family allows airlines to offer new and more direct routes for passengers and makes these airplanes highly popular among leasing and airline customers around the world.

“The 737 MAX family has already proved its value within ALC’s narrowbody portfolio, providing operators with excellent fuel efficiency and flexibility across different networks,” said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales & Marketing. “The addition of more 737 MAXs, including 737-8s and 737-9s, will enable ALC to respond to accelerating market demand as air travel continues to recover.”


OTHER NEWS

  • Everyone has heard of Amelia Earhart, but have you every heard of Harriet Quimby? In 1911, she became the first licensed female pilot forging a path for those women aviators who followed. Read more about this flamboyant aviatrix here!

MEDIA CARRIER & EVA AIR

Just in time for the beginning of the Chinese “Year of the Tiger”, Media
Carrier is pleased to announce a new airline customer from Asia: After Singapore Airlines, the Taiwan-based airline and Star Alliance member EVA Air has adopted the company’s first-class, digital infotainment offer as well as its customer-specific add-on IT solutions. The Munich-based
digital media expert provides a customized collection of around 520 digital, predominantly Asian premium titles from its digital media library Media Box, which comprises a total of 1,600 titles. Depending on their status, EVA Air passengers can download a corresponding number of media titles free of charge from the airline’s digital library and enjoy their in-flight reading before, during and after the flight with PDFs in the customary newspaper and magazine layout. The number of downloads can be extended indefinitely by making additional purchases. On top, all EVA Air passengers can download other renowned daily newspapers free of charge.

According to a study by the German Association for Quality (DGQ, 2020), Germans see a company’s digital service offerings as a quality criterion, be it customer portals, online banking or
infotainment offers such as Media Carrier’s digital Media Box library. Today, digital services are a must for innovative companies and a key aspect for customers when choosing a provider. This also applies to companies in the travel industry, which Media Carrier primarily addresses with its Media Box. If they want to keep up with the times, they need to work with digital service offers, not least because customers increasingly expect this. For two thirds (66 percent) of Germans, digital service offers are a sign that a company is innovative overall. For 56 percent, they are even a must for companies today and a key criterion when choosing a provider.


BOEING

  • Aircraft commitments include firm order, options and lease agreements for up to 40 jets.
  • Carrier launches in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to operate all-737 MAX fleet.

Boeing and Arajet announced the new Caribbean airline has ordered 20 737 MAX airplanes, specifically the high-capacity 737-8-200 model, to deliver low operating costs and expand affordable travel options in the Americas. Arajet also has options to purchase 15 additional 737 MAX jets which, along with existing lease agreements, could take the airline’s new fuel-efficient fleet to 40 airplanes. The aircraft order was finalized in January and is currently attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website.

“The efficient Boeing 737 MAX, together with financial and operational support from our partners at Griffin and Bain Capital, gives us the solid foundation necessary to provide flights at affordable prices to travelers in the region,” said Victor Pacheco Mendez, founder and executive officer of Arajet. “These partners believe in our vision and see the same bright future for this market and beyond. The entire team was elated to see our first aircraft arrive in Santo Domingo a few days ago, and we are eager to expand our fleet with more of these amazing jets in the months ahead.”

The airline hosted a launch event at its new hub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Positioned between North and South America, this location in the Caribbean will leverage the range of the 737 MAX to efficiently serve a large number of traditional and under-served markets in the continental United States, Brazil, Colombia and beyond. The 737 MAX can fly further and uses 20% less fuel than prior generation aircraft. Other key benefits of Arajet’s new fleet include better environmental performance with a 40% reduction in community noise and lower emissions.

Arajet’s first jet, a 737-8 leased from Griffin Global Asset Management, was delivered in early March. The jet was toured by Dominican President Luis Abinader, who attended the launch event, along with industry, government and tourism officials. As travel and tourism recovers globally, Arajet will bring approximately 4,000 new jobs and significant new economic development to the island nation. Tourism makes up 8.4% of the Dominican Republic’s GDP.


OTHER NEWS

SAFRAN

Safran Passenger Innovations (SPI) Launches New IFE Software Platform

SPI is excited to announce the launch of Safran’s latest software platform, RAVE OS, with All Nippon Airways (ANA) on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, STARLUX on A330 and A321, and Virgin Atlantic on A350 amongst other airlines.

RAVE OS offers a modern user interface with features such as pinch to zoom, picture in picture, and multi-tasking capabilities creating a passenger experience comparable to that of the latest consumer technology products. RAVE OS also features the ability to run 3rd party applications, play 4K content and provides an immersive experience with full cabin Bluetooth audio. Keeping with the essence of RAVE DNA (Reliable, Affordable and Very Easy), RAVE OS maintains its common core and a configurable and brandable UI, ease of maintenance and lowest Total Cost of Ownership.

RAVE OS is paired with SPI’s latest ULTRA displays featuring RAVE’s game changing docking station with display sizes ranging from 13.3” to 43” and high-power USB-C (60 watts) in every seat.

Matt Smith, CEO of Safran Passenger Innovation, states “We are thrilled to deliver a product that encapsulates the key innovations we have been developing over the last 3 years, driven by customer and passenger needs. As we continue to grow and innovate, we will prioritize investment in products that make a difference to our customers”.


ASTRONICS

Fourth Quarter Financial Results

  • Fourth quarter sales of $116.1 million; full year sales of $444.9 million
  • Fourth quarter bookings increased 53% over prior-year period to $177.3 million; full year bookings were up 35% to $577.2 million
  • Achieved record backlog at year-end of $415.7 million
  • Fourth quarter pre-tax loss of $0.2 million and net income of $1.6 million
  •  Initial 2022 revenue guidance is $550 million to $600 million

Astronics Corporation (“Astronics”), a leading supplier of advanced technologies and products to the global aerospace, defense and other mission critical industries, reported financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021.

Peter J. Gundermann, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We achieved sales of $116 million in the fourth quarter, which was within our expected range despite continuing supply chain struggles and labor shortages. There were a number of puts and takes in the quarter that impacted results, but we believe that the most significant takeaway was the continued growth in demand from our markets. Bookings jumped to 153% of sales for the quarter, resulting in a year-end backlog of $416 million, an all-time high for Astronics.”


INMARSAT &  CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY

With a rebound in air travel now underway, a new report published by Cranfield University and Inmarsat highlights the critical role that digital connectivity will play in accelerating aviation’s long-term recovery. Titled ‘Why the future of aviation starts with connectivity’, the study offers insights and direction for key aviation stakeholders and governments as they reconsider their priorities for the industry’s future. This will be fueled largely by a monumental shift in passenger behavior and expectations following the pandemic, as well as increased consumer awareness of their impact on the climate.

The report highlights a number of transformative changes ahead for the aviation industry and examines how airlines can take advantage of the enormous opportunities created as a result.

As part of their research, experts from Cranfield University have developed a Digital Connectivity Timeline, which outlines when 21 of the industry’s most critical technological innovations can be expected to reach adoption. It focuses on three distinct time-frames: five years (technologies at advanced stages of development and in some cases are being piloted by organizations ahead of market adoption), between five to ten years (technologies under early development with potential to be trialed in some sectors), and beyond the next decade (concepts under consideration for product or service offering development).

These technologies will enable a range of innovative concepts to make their way onto aircraft and airspace, helping to define the future of aviation while leading to important step changes in passenger experience and sustainability efforts. Amongst the concepts explored are:

  • How the ‘Conscious Aircraft’ uses sensing and communication technologies to create an integrated aircraft health, maintenance, and performance management system that is capable of a fully aware state, with the ability to either take or suggest appropriate action. For example, it can accurately predict the health of aircraft components and automatically reconfigure them to optimize their lifecycle. In addition, it can sense changes in the external environment, like weather or a volcanic ash cloud. With the reduced need for planned maintenance, as well as anticipating the potential for component failures, maintenance costs would be cut by an estimated 30%.
  • How the ‘Connected Journey’ will enhance a passenger’s experience with more efficient and personalized way-finding through airports, more intelligent and response baggage tracking, real-time updates on flight disruptions, and seamless high-speed inflight connectivity.
  • How Trajectory Based Operations are a critical step towards the future management of air traffic, allowing more efficient traffic sequencing and routine deployment of so-called fuel efficient ‘green descents’ to airport terminal areas.
  • How Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital trust technologies have enormous potential to be applied across all aviation sectors. AI can provide intelligent advice on aircraft management issues and make informed decisions under pressure – when there is the need to make a diversion, for example – with camera-based traffic detection, or helping crew to anticipate and prevent critical situations. Machine Learning (ML) can improve accuracy of any application involving optimisation, from sensor calibration to fuel tank checks to icing detection.

The report also examines how the complexity and interoperability of future ecosystems are significant challenges for technology providers, regulators and airlines alike.

Philippe Carette, President of Inmarsat Aviation, said: “Our new report with Cranfield University has considered how the role of digital connectivity, in all its forms, can enable and accelerate meeting the rapidly changing needs of air travelers and of the aviation sector itself. It has identified specific challenges and opportunities that, if addressed, will have a direct beneficial effect on the sector’s resilience, its
contribution to reducing climate change, and to new customer service offerings that will enhance passengers’ willingness to travel in the post-pandemic world.

“Harnessing the technological innovations explored in this report will be nothing short of revolutionary for our industry, and at Inmarsat, we can’t wait to play our part in bringing them to life through our global connectivity and world-leading ORCHESTRA network of networks.”

The full report, executive summary and Digital Connectivity Timeline are available here: Digital Now: Why the future of aviation starts with connectivity – Inmarsat

Inmarsat, a world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, recently unveiled plans for
ORCHESTRA: ORCHESTRA – Inmarsat will bring existing geosynchronous (GEO) satellites together with low earth orbit satellites (LEO) and terrestrial 5G to form an integrated, high-performance solution, unmatched by any existing or planned competitor offering. ORCHESTRA allows capacity to be boosted in high-density areas such as at airports, eliminating congested network ‘hot spots’ and ensuring the connectivity needs of aviation customers continue to be met well into the future, with capacity scaled directly to match their requirements.


CARLISLE IT

Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (CarlisleIT) launched the Adjustable Keeper with Mounting Block as an upgrade to its NAS1637 Adjustable Keeper. The new version of the product includes upgraded materials and finishes and other additional features that exceed the performance and user experience of built-to-spec NAS1637 keepers.

The design includes a mounting block that allows for installation on standard ARINC 404 trays while maximizing the adjustment range of the keeper.

“When we looked at the existing keepers in the market, we knew that the quality and consistency weren’t up to our expectations and wouldn’t support our customers’ needs for retaining Line Replaceable Units in ARINC 404-style trays. That is why we are excited to launch this new NAS1637 Adjustable Keeper, which exceeds the NAS1637 specification and improves our customer’s experience,” said Todd Canavan, product line manager at CarlisleIT. “Built with better materials and designed for easy and accurate installation and adjustment, this product truly embodies the CarlisleIT vision of ‘Performance with Purpose.’”

Features and benefits include:

  • Structural anodized aluminum construction, providing minimal concerns for galvanic corrosion compared to the to-spec design.
  • Lockwire holes, which allow for use of .032″ diameter lock wire to prevent rotation of assembly when LRU is not installed.
  • Free-running screw thread inserts for greatly improved user experience when adjusting length of product in the field.
  • O-ring to prevent accidental disassembly of product before it is installed.
  • An adjustable length that allows for a larger adjustment range than the to-spec NAS1637 adjustable keeper (1.55″ – 1.925”).

To learn more about CarlisleIT’s variety of tray accessories, follow this link .


THALES

Thales reports its 2021 full-year results

  • Order intake(1) : €19.9 billion, up 18% (+18% on an organic basis(2) – Sales: €16.2 billion, up 5.3% (+5.3% on an organic basis)
  •  EBIT(3) : €1,649 million, up 32.1% (+31.9% on an organic basis) – Adjusted net income, Group share(3) : €1,361 million, up 45%
  • Consolidated net income, Group share: €1,089 million, up 125%
  • Free operating cash flow(3) : €2,515 million, 185% of adjusted net income, Group share
  • Dividend(4) of €2.56, up 45%

2022 objectives:

  •  Book-to-bill(5) above 1, supporting sales growth acceleration in 2023
  • Sales between €16.6 and €17.2 billion, corresponding to organic growth between +2% and +6%
  • EBIT margin

BOEING

Emergency assistance package will be directed to organizations working to bring food, water, clothing and shelter to displaced Ukrainians

Boeing announced a US$2 million emergency assistance package to support humanitarian response efforts in Ukraine. The assistance package will be directed to organizations working to bring food, water, clothing, medicine and shelter to displaced Ukrainians – including those seeking refuge in neighboring countries. In addition, Boeing will match all qualifying employee contributions made in support of Ukrainian humanitarian relief through the company’s charitable matching program.

“The conflict unfolding in Ukraine is leading to a significant humanitarian emergency, and Boeing will take action to support the Ukrainian people,” said Dave Calhoun, Boeing president and CEO. “Our thoughts are with all those who have been thrust into the midst of this crisis. While we work to ensure the safety of Boeing employees in the region, our hope is that this assistance package will help deliver some much-needed support to those who are displaced and suffering.”

Funding from the Boeing Charitable Trust will support the following organizations:

$1,000,000 to CARE to assist with food, water and hygiene kit distribution as well as monetary assistance and psychosocial support for affected Ukrainians, with a focus on women, children and the elderly.
$500,000 to American Red Cross to support the global Red Cross movement providing critical humanitarian relief to people affected by the Ukraine crisis.
$250,000 to Americares to help with the distribution of medicine and medical supplies as well as support critical medical care for families displaced by the crisis, including mental health services.
$250,000 to organizations working to support vulnerable, displaced populations in Ukraine and neighboring countries.

MORE BOEING

We understand Boeing has suspended major operations in Moscow. We also understand they temporarily closed their office in Kyiv, and has suspended parts, maintenance & technical support services for Russian airlines.

BOEING/ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Boeing and its longstanding customer Ethiopian Airlines announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the intent to purchase five 777-8 Freighters, the industry’s newest, most capable and most fuel-efficient twin-engine freighter.

The MoU to order the 777-8 Freighter will enable Ethiopian Airlines to meet expanding global cargo demand from its hub in Addis Ababa and position the carrier for long-term sustainable growth.

BOEING & JEPPESEN FLITEDECK

Boeing has been selected to provide Etihad Airways with the Jeppesen FliteDeck Advisor digital solution for the carrier’s 787 Dreamliner fleet to optimize operational efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.

Etihad has already found benefits from the use of FliteDeck Advisor. During a trial on several of its 787 Dreamliners, the airline found that the digital solution delivered cruise fuel savings of 1.4%, saving an average of 350 kilograms of fuel and 1,100 kilograms of CO2 per flight.

Since 2019, Boeing and Etihad have collaborated on sustainability efforts centered on the airline’s 787 Dreamliner fleet, including on Etihad’s participation in Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator program, where the FliteDeck Advisor solution was initially trialed. In 2021, the two companies renewed and expanded their sustainability alliance to focus on enhancing the efficiency of navigation and flight operations, airframe technologies and sustainable practices to reduce emissions.

Jeppesen FliteDeck Advisor analyzes airplane-specific performance metrics for all Boeing aircraft, including changes over time with aircraft age and maintenance action. The tool enables flight crews to make small, real-time adjustments to their course, altitude, and speed to optimize fuel use and minimize the carbon footprint of each flight.

Boeing provides several other digital solutions and services to Etihad’s 787 fleet including Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro, Jeppesen Crew Rostering and Boeing Wind Updates, which provide crew scheduling, charting, navigation, and flight efficiency capabilities.


OTHER NEWS

  • Curious about 5G and air[port avionics communication? Here is a bit more video – Is 5G dangerous for the aviation industry?
  • We understand the folks at Farnborough International have suspended Russian involvement with the 2022 Farnborough Airshow.

AVALON

Avalon and AirAsia partner to create a transformational ride sharing platform in Southeast Asia

  • AirAsia Aviation Group orders 100 VX4 eVTOL aircraft
  • 90% of Avolon’s VX4 order book now placed

Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, announces that one of the world’s leading airline groups, AirAsia Aviation Group Limited (‘AirAsia’), has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to lease a minimum of 100 VX4 eVTOL aircraft from Avolon. These eVTOL aircraft will allow AirAsia to further revolutionise air travel by providing advanced air mobility to a whole new range of passengers, transforming how we all connect more efficiently in our everyday lives.

In addition to the eVTOL aircraft, Avolon, through its investment and innovation affiliate Avolon-e, will partner with AirAsia to commercialise zero-emissions eVTOL aircraft and develop an industry leading urban air mobility (‘UAM’) platform in Southeast Asia. Avolon and AirAsia will form a working group to pursue local certification, research potential market opportunities and infrastructure requirements for UAM. AirAsia will also leverage its successful travel and lifestyle mobile app, the AirAsia Super App, to help support and build an eVTOL ride sharing platform with Avolon.


INMARSAT

An advanced new terminal for Inmarsat’s market-leading business aviation inflight broadband solution Jet ConneX, developed by Satcom Direct (SD), has moved a step closer to commercial service after successfully communicating over the air with an Inmarsat satellite. A complete prototype unit of the ground-breaking Plane Simple Ka-band Antenna System is scheduled for completion later this year, followed by design verification, testing, certification and its commercial service introduction in 2023.

Designed specifically to meet current and long-term connectivity needs in the business aviation market, the new Plane Simple Ka-band Antenna System optimises inflight Wi-Fi, particularly for super-mid to large-size jets, using Inmarsat’s current and upcoming Ka-band satellites. It offers a unique alternative to existing terminals used on private jets, with key features including a modern lightweight design with only two line-replaceable units and simplified wiring to enable quicker and easier installation and maintenance.

The tail-mounted terminal will utilise the vast combined experience and expertise of Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, and SD, the aviation solutions provider, in business aviation connectivity. Both companies worked closely throughout the development process, from designing the concept to producing a simple, cost-effective and future proof solution.

Kai Tang, Inmarsat’s Head of Business Aviation, said: “Since its commercial launch five years ago, Inmarsat’s Jet ConneX has established itself as business aviation’s gold standard inflight connectivity service. Satcom Direct has played a key role in that journey and through the development of this advanced new terminal, we are building on our partnership to ensure customers can utilise the world-class infrastructure we have in place today and the game-changing new capabilities we will introduce in the coming years. This includes the launch of six further satellites, consisting of four in geostationary orbit – adding speed, capacity and resilience – and two in highly elliptical orbit, enabling the world’s only commercial mobile broadband service for aircraft flying in higher elevations and across the Arctic.”


ANUVU

Anuvu ,a leading provider of high-speed connectivity and entertainment solutions for demanding worldwide mobility markets, announced it has obtained the exclusive worldwide inflight distribution rights (outside of mainland China) for Hong Kong’s award-winning film Zero to Hero. The film is available for booking now, for passenger viewing in May 2022.

The inspiring true story of Hong Kong’s six-time Paralympic gold medalist sprinter, presented by One Cool Pictures, is directed and written by Jimmy Wan. It stars producer and Hong Kong Film Award and Golden Horse-winning actress Sandra Ng, who plays the athlete’s tenacious and loving mother. Zero to Hero has grossed over $3.6 million domestically, making it Hong Kong’s second-highest-grossing Chinese film of 2021.

Zero to Hero joins recent exclusive films Hi, Mom, Minari and First Cow in Anuvu’s series of unique and global media options, part of the company’s mission to help airlines deliver entertainment that is as diverse as their passengers and destinations.


IMMFLY

Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, today announces that one of the world’s leading airline groups, AirAsia Aviation Group Limited (‘AirAsia’), has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to lease a minimum of 100 VX4 eVTOL aircraft from Avolon. These eVTOL aircraft will allow AirAsia to further revolutionise air travel by providing advanced air mobility to a whole new range of passengers, transforming how we all connect more efficiently in our everyday lives.

In addition to the eVTOL aircraft, Avolon, through its investment and innovation affiliate Avolon-e, will partner with AirAsia to commercialise zero-emissions eVTOL aircraft and develop an industry leading urban air mobility (‘UAM’) platform in Southeast Asia. Avolon and AirAsia will form a working group to pursue local certification, research potential market opportunities and infrastructure requirements for UAM. AirAsia will also leverage its successful travel and lifestyle mobile app, the AirAsia Super App, to help support and build an eVTOL ride sharing platform with Avolon.

Avolon VX4 Order book

In June 2021, Avolon ordered 500 VX4 eVTOL aircraft from Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) (‘Vertical’), valued at US $2 billion. Since announcing that order, Avolon placed 250 VX4 aircraft with Gol and Grupo Comporte in Brazil, up to 100 aircraft with Japan Airlines in Japan, and a minimum of 100 aircraft with AirAsia. As a result, Avolon has now placed up to 90% of its initial orderbook, underlining the demand for VX4 aircraft from the world’s leading airlines.


TURKISH TECHNIC

Turkish Technic, a leading MRO company certified around the world as Part 145 and Part 21 J&G organization, and leading Swiss-based aviation and aerospace advisor, AMROS Global, have recently announced the signing of a commemorative certificate for the C-Check and lease-out operations of two Airbus A330. The maintenance will commence on the 1st Quarter of 2022.

Turkish Technic has been a trusted partner for airlines, OEMs, and lessors for decades, supporting many local and international customers around the globe. This brand-new cooperation between Turkish Technic and AMROS Global further strengthens the MRO’s leading position in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul market.

On the signing of the commemorative certificate, CEO of Turkish Technic, Mikail Akbulut stated: ‘‘We are pleased by the confidence AMROS Global has placed in our services and determined to meet that trust with our diligent efforts. As a well-positioned MRO company with a wide range of aircraft and component capabilities under our belt, we look forward to turning this new collaboration into a long-standing partnership in the years ahead.”

 

Commenting on the new agreement, CEO of AMROS Global, Eros Tavani said; “The AMROS team is pleased to announce the collaboration with an additional highly qualified MRO Turkish Technic. AMROS’ aim is to provide our airline and lessor customers with professional transition MRO activities with high quality in a trusted environment, where timelines are a critical success factor. We are looking forward to a long-lasting and fruitful collaboration.”

Operating as a one-stop MRO company with high-quality service, competitive turnaround times, comprehensive in-house capabilities at its state-of-the-art hangars, Turkish Technic provides maintenance, repair, overhaul, engineering, modification, tailor-made PBH and reconfiguration services to many domestic and international customers at five locations.


AIRBUS

  • 611 commercial aircraft delivered in 2021
  • Financials reflect strong operational performance group-wide
  • Revenues € 52.1 billion; EBIT Adjusted € 4.9 billion; EBIT (reported) € 5.3 billion
  • Free cash flow before M&A and customer financing € 3.5 billion; Net cash € 7.6 billion
  • Record net income of € 4.2 billion; EPS (reported) € 5.36
  • Dividend proposal: € 1.50 per share
  • 2022 guidance issued

Airbus SE (stock exchange symbol: AIR) reported consolidated Full-Year (FY) 2021 financial results and provided guidance for 2022.

“2021 was a year of transition, where our attention shifted from navigating the pandemic towards recovery and growth. Thanks to the resilience and efforts of our teams, customers and suppliers, we delivered remarkable full-year results,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus Chief Executive Officer. “The strong financials reflect the higher number of commercial aircraft deliveries, the good performance of our Helicopters and Defence and Space businesses as well as our efforts on cost containment and competitiveness. Record net income and our efforts to strengthen the net cash position underpin our proposal to reintroduce dividend payments going forward. At the same time, we continue to invest in our strategic priorities and in the transformation of our company.”

Gross commercial aircraft orders totalled 771 (2020: 383 aircraft) with net orders of 507 aircraft after cancellations (2020: 268 aircraft). Included were the first A350 freighter orders, confirming customer demand for this new programme. The order backlog was 7,082 commercial aircraft on 31 December 2021 (end 2020: 7,184 aircraft). Airbus Helicopters booked 414 net orders (2020: 268 units), achieving a book-to-bill ratio well above 1 both in terms of units and in value. These included 52 H160s of which 30 were the first batch of H160M military versions for France’s Joint Light Helicopter programme. Airbus Defence and Space’s order intake by value increased to € 13.7 billion (2020: € 11.9 billion), representing a book-to-bill ratio of around 1.3. Included were key orders in the Military Aircraft business such as the in-service support of the German and Spanish Eurofighter fleets as well as good export momentum for the C295, A330 MRTT and A400M airlifter.

Consolidated order intake by value increased to € 62.0 billion (2020: € 33.3 billion) with the consolidated order book valued at € 398 billion on 31 December 2021 (year-end 2020: € 373 billion). The increase in the backlog value mainly reflected the strengthening US dollar.


BOEING

  • ANA Extends Boeing Maintenance Performance Toolbox for Entire Fleet
  • Japanese carrier: Digital maintenance information greatly reduces complexity of managing multiple airplane types, increases efficiency
  • Nearly 350 customers rely on Maintenance Performance Toolbox to support their engineering and maintenance operations

Boeing announced at the Singapore Airshow that All Nippon Airways (ANA) has signed an extension for Boeing’s Maintenance Performance Toolbox for another five years. The Japanese carrier has used the Boeing digital solution the past eight years to manage maintenance information for its entire fleet of aircraft and engines.

Maintenance Performance Toolbox allows operators to simplify their maintenance operations by enabling them to manage, distribute, process and view intelligent maintenance documentation in a uniform digital format through a single interface, regardless of aircraft manufacturer or engine type.

“The adoption of Maintenance Performance Toolbox is one example of how we have streamlined our maintenance processes through digital tools,” said Hajime Kaneko, Vice President of the Digital Transformation Portfolio Management Department at ANA. “It has greatly reduced the complexity of managing maintenance information for multiple airplane types across our entire fleet. We’ve seen efficiency improvements in our maintenance operations, and we’ll continue to use Maintenance Performance Toolbox to take advantage of those benefits.”

Nearly 350 airplane operators and their MRO providers rely on Maintenance Performance Toolbox to support their engineering and maintenance operations. ANA and other airlines have deployed its full-fleet capabilities on maintaining their Boeing and non-Boeing aircraft.

“ANA was a development partner for Maintenance Performance Toolbox and was the first customer to go live with the platform’s full-fleet capability in 2013,” said Duane Wehking, Vice President of Digital Aviation Solutions for Boeing Global Services. “We look forward to continuing to grow and improve Maintenance Performance Toolbox through our collaboration with ANA in support of streamlining their maintenance operations.”

Boeing is also partnering with AIRDO, an affiliate of ANA, to provide cabin modification services for 767 airplanes in its fleet. As part of the agreement, Boeing will execute the design engineering, certification and supply of parts required for completion.

For more information on Boeing Maintenance Performance Toolbox, visit Boeing Maintenance Performance Toolbox | Boeing Services

Also From Boeing:

Western Global Airlines Purchases Two Boeing 777 Freighters

  • Global cargo carrier expands all-Boeing fleet with first order of new-production freighters
  • Adding capacity to meet growing e-commerce and express cargo demand

Boeing and Western Global Airlines today announced a firm order for two 777 Freighters, the first new-production freighters for the all-Boeing cargo operator based in Estero, Fla. The order was finalized in January 2022 and is currently listed as unidentified in Boeing’s order backlog. The agreement also includes an additional purchase option.

Boeing’s market-leading 777 Freighter is the world’s largest, longest-range and most capable twin-engine freighter currently flying, with the lowest trip cost and highest reliability of any large freighter. With a range of 4,970 nautical miles (9,200 kilometers), the 777 Freighter can carry a maximum structural payload of 107 metric tons (235,900 pounds), while reducing fuel use and CO2 emissions compared to prior airplanes. This capability and exceptional efficiency translate into significant savings for cargo operators, with fewer stops and associated landing fees.

Boeing has forecast that the global freighter fleet will grow by 70% in the next 20 years, with freight carriers such as Western Global supporting a rapidly expanding global e-commerce business and evolving supply chains.

Having flown to over 400 airports in 135 countries on six continents, Western Global Airlines currently owns and operates a fleet of 21 747-400 and MD-11 Freighters, providing contracted turn-key transport services around the globe for a variety of blue-chip logistics companies, e-commerce platforms, and US Department of Defense


OTHER NEWS

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Have a nice day on,
2/22/22

AGEAN

AEGEAN, the airline that knows Greece best, proudly announced that its onboard experience will accelerate further with the introduction of high-speed inflight broadband, powered by the European Aviation Network (EAN). The award-winning connectivity solution, provided by Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom, will be installed on all existing and new AEGEAN Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft by 2025, with the first seven entering service as of today.

AEGEAN passengers have access to three different Wi-Fi packages, including a free 10-minute “try before you buy” service to browse the internet, send and receive emails, and access messaging and social media applications. This can be extended by selecting either the “text and surf” package or upgrading to the “streaming” option, which adds the capability to watch videos or listen to audio online. As Europe’s fastest inflight broadband solution, EAN offers incomparable speeds, uninterrupted coverage across Europe and significantly lower latency than any other aviation connectivity service on the market.

Under this agreement, AEGEAN has also partnered with Display Interactive to create a customized digital portal, allowing passengers to access Wi‑Fi packages and a rich entertainment platform using their personal devices. This enables the passengers to explore multiple entertainment options (music, series, documentaries, cartoons, games, daily news, etc.), receive real time travel information and sign up to AEGEAN’s Miles+Bonus frequent flyer programme. Display Interactive, which is also a partner for Inmarsat’s OneFi passenger experience platform, has developed the portal for AEGEAN to enhance its passenger experience and enable its inflight connectivity offering.

Dimitris Gerogiannis, Chief Executive Officer at AEGEAN, said: “We are very happy to offer Europe’s most advanced inflight broadband to our passengers. This exciting milestone is part of our continued efforts to develop the AEGEAN service offering for passengers and strengthen our competitive position, which is particularly important as the aviation industry continues to recover from the global pandemic’s impact. We enjoy working with Inmarsat, Deutsche Telekom and Display Interactive to roll out the European Aviation Network on all our A320 and A32 fleet.”

Philippe Carette, President of Inmarsat Aviation, said: “Our European Aviation Network inflight broadband solution experienced record demand from passengers last year, with take-up rates substantially higher than before the pandemic. We are delighted that it will be available on AEGEAN flights, as part of the airline’s impressive efforts to offer a truly world-class passenger experience. Inmarsat has worked closely with our partner Deutsche Telekom and the AEGEAN team to expedite the rollout and ensure the airline’s passengers can now start enjoying Europe’s fastest inflight broadband.”

“This agreement strengthens our market leadership in Europe’s inflight connectivity market and also represents an important milestone in our long-held relationship with Greece, home to some of our most critical ground infrastructure, including EAN’s Satellite Access Station.”

Rolf Nafziger, Senior Vice President of Deutsche Telekom Global Carrier, added: “EAN is perfectly adapted to Europe’s unique telco infrastructure and a true game-changer for inflight connectivity. For Aegean’s passengers, it offers an unparalleled connectivity experience while flying above the European continent. And for the carrier, it provides a highly compelling business case due to its lightweight, small and low maintenance equipment. Thanks to its scalability, EAN will not only provide unbeatable connectivity to Aegean passengers today, but for many years to come.”

EAN has been designed specifically to meet the needs of European aviation, delivering consistent inflight broadband across Europe, one of the world’s most congested airspaces. Developed by Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom, in partnership with leading European companies such as Thales, Nokia, Airbus, Cobham and Eclipse Technics, it also offers the fastest ever installation time for a connectivity solution, requiring only seven hours per aircraft, meaning significantly less downtime. Combined with the system’s low weight, low drag and low maintenance, this results in lower overall operation costs.

AEGEAN’s selection of EAN comes to support its ongoing efforts to enhance customer experience and is aligned with demand for inflight connectivity, which has continued to soar since the global pandemic.


BOEING

  • EPIC Fuels to supply fuel blend with SAF component made from inedible agricultural waste for production, test, Dreamlifter and delivery flights
  • Largest SAF purchase to date demonstrates Boeing commitment to SAF as most immediate way to decarbonize aviation

Boeing announced a supply agreement for two million gallons (7.5 million liters) of blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with EPIC Fuels to power its Commercial Airplanes operations in Washington state and South Carolina through 2022. The agreement is the largest announced SAF procurement by an airframer and further demonstrates Boeing’s commitment to decarbonizing aviation.

Sustainably produced jet fuel, which reduces CO2 emissions by as much as 80% over the fuel’s life cycle with the potential to reach 100% in the future, is widely recognized as offering the most immediate and greatest potential to decarbonize aviation over the next 20 to 30 years. Made from several feedstocks, sustainable aviation fuel is certified for commercial use and can be blended with traditional jet fuel without modifications to airplanes, engines or fueling infrastructure. Approximately a year ago, Boeing committed to deliver its commercial airplanes capable and certified to fly on 100% SAF by 2030.

The purchase agreement with EPIC Fuels includes a SAF product made from inedible agricultural waste, blending 30% neat SAF with 70% conventional jet fuel. The purchase will enable broader use of SAF for Boeing commercial production, test, ferry, Dreamlifter and customer flights at facilities in Everett, Renton and Seattle in Washington state and North Charleston, South Carolina. EPIC Fuels will also continue to supply customized blends from 50/50% up to 100% SAF for the Boeing ecoDemonstrator program, which accelerates innovation by taking promising technologies out of the lab and testing them in the air to solve real-world challenges for airlines and passengers. SAF is currently approved for a 50/50 blend with conventional jet fuel for commercial flights.

The purchase builds on Boeing’s long-term industry leadership and investment to develop SAF around the world, partnering with airlines, fuel companies, governments and research institutions to expand SAF supply and reduce its cost. Boeing began SAF test flights in 2008, helped gain approval for commercial use in 2011 and enabled airplane delivery flights with SAF starting in 2012. The 2018 Boeing ecoDemonstrator conducted the industry’s first 100 percent SAF commercial airplane test flight on a 777 Freighter in partnership with FedEx. In 2019, Boeing began offering customers the option to power commercial delivery flights with SAF to demonstrate commitment to reducing CO2 and further spur the use of cleaner fuels.


OTHER NEWS

THALES

  • AVIOBOOK strengthens its position as leader of the Electronic Flight Folder market with a record breaking 3 contracts signed in fall 2021.
  • AVIOBOOK has passed a huge milestone in its growth and development, reaching over 2600 tails using AVIOBOOK’s suite of applications.

Despite difficult economic conditions in the aviation industry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, AVIOBOOK has proved that its robust and reliable suite of applications can bring concrete business benefits to airlines around the world. The company is thus positioning itself as the practical solution for EFB software that will support airlines in the post-pandemic recovery.

The broad portfolio of new customers demonstrates the appeal of AVIOBOOK’s solutions. In India, low-cost carrier IndiGo has chosen AVIOBOOK for its fleet of over 270 aircraft to support its operations as the largest airline in the country by market share. And two members of the Indigo Partners Group, JetSMART in South America and Lynx Air in Canada, saw in AVIOBOOK a strong partner to help accompany their rapid growth plans.

Built on a decade of experience, AVIOBOOK is a proven solution that differentiates itself through its deep back-office integration and extensive user-driven functionalities. AVIOBOOK’s experience in the development of adaptable and flexible solutions, with previous implementations at 60+ airlines around the world, has been key to ensuring the success of these projects.

AVIOBOOK is proud to welcome IndiGo, JetSMART and Lynx Air to the AVIOBOOK community.

MORE THALES NEWS:

  • Thales to create highest ever Wi-Fi hotspot as it joins forces with Airbus Perlan Mission II stratospheric glider project

Thales announced its partnership with Airbus Perlan Mission II, an internationally celebrated and world record setting climate and aerospace research project, aiming to fly Thales’ latest mobile Satellite communications system, FlytLink, in a zero-emission glider to more than twice the altitude of a commercial airline flight. Through this collaboration, the world will get a live, front row view of the stratosphere and hear from glider pilots as they soar to the edge of space via FlytLink. The Nevada-based Airbus Perlan Mission II team is planning for a possible return to flight this year in the U.S. and El Calafate, Argentina.

Airbus Perlan Mission II is an initiative of The Perlan Project, a non-profit, international team of scientists, engineers, and aviators. The group has already set aviation world altitude records in the experimental Perlan 2 glider, which was designed, built and deployed to fly to 90,000 feet without an engine. Originally launched in 2015, the Perlan 2 achieved its highest record-setting flight of above 76,000 feet in 2018. The organization’s mission is to conduct climate, atmospheric and aeronautical research at extreme high altitudes. Applications of their research include informing more accurate climate-change models, innovating fuel-efficient or zero-emission aviation, and even demonstrating the feasibility of using energy-efficient winged aircraft on Mars.

Soaring too high to use ground-based communications, the Perlan 2 glider will be fitted with the FlytLink Thales Iridium Certus based satellite communications (satcom) system. This means that for the first time it will be possible to make a live feed available to STEM students, researchers and aviation enthusiasts around the world while the aircraft is in flight, enabling access to real-time data downloads. FlytLink is the latest generation of Iridium-based satellite communications systems for cockpit and crew operations. Anywhere in the world, whether flying over the poles, the ocean or land, FlytLink offers coverage and connectivity for critical operations. Its resilience, high dependability and low size, weight and power make it adaptable to any aircraft, including gliders such as Perlan.

“We look forward to Perlan 2 carrying the Thales logo as well as one of the company’s most cutting-edge communication solutions to even greater heights,” said Ed Warnock, CEO of The Perlan Project. “By exploring the stratosphere in an airborne research vehicle that creates zero pollution, we hope to unlock discoveries never possible before. Through this exciting partnership with Thales, we also look forward to inspiring new generations of scientists, engineers and pilots in environmentally conscious aviation.”

“We are delighted to support Airbus Perlan Mission II because we believe the project aligns with Thales’ own strategies for future, greener aviation and the environment,” said Marc Duval Destin, Vice-President Strategy, Product Policy and Innovation for Thales’ Flight Avionics activities. ”We hope that the live stream will encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in aerospace, science and engineering.”

When Perlan 2 reaches its next record-breaking target altitude of over 90,000 feet, it will be the highest a winged aircraft has ever flown in level flight. Equipped with cutting edge aviation technology and using spacecraft engineering, its glider wings can fly in less than 3% of normal air density at temperatures of minus 70 degrees Celsius approximating the atmospheric conditions on Mars.

“Our equipment will be in an unpressurised environment,” added Duval Destin. “So, this is a great opportunity for us to validate the design and performance of our solution in such extremely non-benign conditions.”

Designed to support a wide range of use cases in maritime, land mobile and aviation markets, Thales Iridium Certus based satcom solutions are already used widely among vessels and land/mobile applications to keep critical communications when it is needed at all times, anywhere on the planet.


BOEING

Last year the airframer delivered 340 aircraft, broken down as follows:

2021

  • 245 MAXs
  • 18 737NGs
  • 7  747s
  • 32 767s
  • 24 777s
  • 14 787s

2020 Deliveries Totaled 157 aircraft

  • 27 MAXs
  • 16 737NGs
  • five 747s
  • 30 767s
  • 26 777s
  • 53 787s

In 2021 Boeing booked 909 orders (535 net) vs 184 (-471) in 2020, and ended the year with backlog of 5,136 vs 4,997.


QATAR AIRWAYS

Munich Airport welcomes a further increase in so-called cargo-only services. As of today, Qatar Airways is operating regular flights to and from Munich with a cargo version of its Boeing 777. The routing starts on Mondays in Bangalore, India, and leads via Qatar’s capital Doha to Munich and then on to Chicago. On the return flight, in exactly the opposite rotation, the freighter reaches Munich every Tuesday.  Qatar Airways operates this service on behalf of the international logistics provider DB Schenker. Munich’s cargo network will thus be expanded by more significant destinations. This new freight service proves once again that, even in times of pandemic, Munich Airport plays an important role as a reliable part of the infrastructure and a key component of global supply chains.


OTHER NEWS

 The IFExpress Team wishes you a happy and healthy holiday. And we wanted to take the opportunity to thank you, our readers and advertisers, for your continued support during the past year –  Patricia Wiseman


INMARSAT

Inmarsat ORCHESTRA, the future network for global mobility and government communications, achieved its first milestone in space with the successful activation of a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite payload.

The LEO satellite is testing new concepts and system configurations for ORCHESTRA’s proposed LEO constellation, which will seamlessly integrate with geosynchronous orbit (GEO) and highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellites, and a terrestrial 5G network, to deliver a uniquely powerful global communications solution for mobility and government customers.

ORCHESTRA is the first global network of its kind; creating a global, multi-dimensional, dynamic mesh network that will redefine connectivity at scale with the highest capacity for mobility worldwide and at hot spots across the world. It will deliver the fastest average speeds and the lowest average latency of any network, planned or in existence.

While details of the in-orbit testing remain confidential, Inmarsat has confirmed that the LEO demonstration satellite payload is testing concepts for LEO-to-ground and LEO-to-GEO communications, which are key steps in delivering the unique capabilities proposed for ORCHESTRA. As the LEO satellite features a reprogrammable payload, additional concepts will be tested over the coming months.

Rajeev Suri, CEO of Inmarsat, said: “Customers have expressed great excitement about Inmarsat’s ORCHESTRA network and we are making fast progress to bring that network to reality. Development of the terrestrial network is proceeding well and we are now moving forward with live tests of ORCHESTRA’s LEO layer.

“Our vision for ORCHESTRA is a network that uses the right technology for the right purpose. We are not beholden to a single approach and believe that the best way to meet customer needs is a multidimensional approach that includes GEO, LEO and terrestrial 5G in a dynamic mesh that brings capacity to where it is needed in the most efficient way possible. Today’s announcement is yet another testament to the fact that Inmarsat is a company with commercial momentum and technology leadership.”

Yasrine Ibnyahya, Inmarsat’s Senior Director, Advanced Concepts and Technologies, said: “Our demonstration LEO satellite payload is designed to create new technologies and services that will transform the use of satellite communications by our mobility and government customers worldwide. Using software defined radio payloads in LEO, we are able to test, refine, retest and validate as many concepts as we need. It is a quick, agile and highly economic approach that enables us to meet our ambitious targets for rolling out key components for Inmarsat ORCHESTRA.”

More Inmarsat News:

Inmarsat has been crowned ‘World’s Best Inflight internet Service Provider’ for the fifth consecutive year at the World Travel Tech Awards in recognition of the company’s market-leading GX Aviation and European Aviation Network (EAN).

The prestigious accolade from the sister event of the World Travel Awards was announced yesterday following an extensive year-long search for the world’s top travel technology brands, which attracted a record number of votes by industry professionals and members of the public from across the globe.

Inmarsat triumphed after experiencing its best ever year for passenger usage of its next-generation inflight broadband solutions in comparison to before the pandemic. The trend aligns with the results of Inmarsat’s 2021 Passenger Confidence Tracker, the largest global survey of its kind since the pandemic began, which found that digital solutions that keep passengers connected and minimize their contact with cabin crew and fellow passengers can go a long way in boosting confidence. In addition, 41% of the 10,000 respondents believed the ability to browse the internet, shop online, stream videos, enjoy social media and more during flights had increased even further in importance after the pandemic.

GX Aviation, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, has been activated on more than 550 aircraft to date, with approximately 1,000 additional aircraft in the order book. It has been selected by more than 35 airlines worldwide, including Qatar Airways, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, AirAsia, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic and most recently, SAUDIA. EAN has also recorded a milestone year after crossing 270 aircraft activations, with more than 40 million passengers enjoying access to the service since it launched with British Airways, Iberia and Vueling, all part of the International Airlines Group (IAG).

Philippe Carette, President of Inmarsat Aviation, said: “Global aviation has faced many unprecedented challenges over the past two years. As one of the industry’s leading suppliers, Inmarsat has been working closer than ever with our airline customers as they navigate towards a profitable and sustainable recovery. We are proud that our best-in-class solutions are empowering many airlines to enhance their onboard experience and differentiate themselves in a highly competitive market, especially at a time when passenger expectations around inflight connectivity are continuing to evolve and amplify.

“The fact that we have received this accolade five years in a row following a vote by passengers, airlines and others from the travel industry is especially gratifying. It reinforces our position as a trusted market leader and is a testament to the exemplary work of our employees and partners during the last year.”

Inmarsat recently unveiled plans for ORCHESTRA, the communications network of the future, which will bring existing geosynchronous (GEO) satellites together with low earth orbit satellites (LEO) and terrestrial 5G to form an integrated, high-performance solution, unmatched by any existing or planned competitor offering. ORCHESTRA allows capacity to be boosted in high-density areas such as at airports, eliminating congested network ‘hot spots’ and ensuring the connectivity needs of aviation customers continue to be met well into the future, with capacity scaled directly to match their requirements.


OTHER NEWS

Retired Publisher’s Note: We needed support for a Fluke device and after the company helped us out we wanted to mention to our readers what great support they have, and what a great product the temp/humidity Fluke 971 measurement device is. We also wanted to personally thank Robert Pokomy and Steven Clark for their engineering support. Here is the message: If you need test and measurement electronics, their company products are really incredible…and as an electrical engineer, I know! – Terry Wiseman

Royal Brunei Airlines Selects Anuvu as IFE Content Service Provider

Anuvu announces its partnership with Royal Brunei Airlines, serving as the company’s Content Service Provider (CSP) starting February 2022.

Passengers traveling with Royal Brunei Airlines, a boutique airline based out of Brunei, Asia and operating flights between Australia, England, Japan and China, can now watch a wide range of inflight entertainment (IFE) provided by Anuvu’s Iris platform, a cost-effective and convenient IFE subscription service for airlines. The partnership will offer a wide variety of premium entertainment, including bespoke customer solutions, to fit airline budgets and boost passenger experiences, meeting travelers’ high expectations for onboard entertainment.

“2022 promises to usher in a whole new set of challenges and opportunities for our industry. I am glad that we have chosen Anuvu as our new IFE partner,” said Sabirin Hj Abdul Hamid, acting CEO, Royal Brunei Airlines. “We selected Anuvu to enhance our passenger experience through an innovative IFE presentation and extensive library as we look forward to relaunch our scheduled network after almost two years of minimum operations due to the COVID19 travel restrictions. Behind the scenes, our team will appreciate the ease and flexibility of Iris.”

“We are delighted to begin servicing such a prestigious airline as Royal Brunei, which has been recognized time and time again for its impeccable service and passenger experience,” said Estibaliz Asiain, Anuvu SVP, Commercial Media & Content. “We look forward to supporting the team in continuing to take their inflight experience to new heights through innovative technology and media and content solutions.”

Iris is a monthly service for aviation clients to select best-in-class content for passengers. It is an efficient and flexible solution that enables airlines to have a clear fixed pricing structure, inclusive to airlines of all sizes. Passengers have access to Hollywood and international movies, award-winning TV and next-generation featured content.

More News From Anuvu: 

  • Anuvu Modernizes Inflight Entertainment Selection with Explore
  •  Innovative online media and content library disrupts legacy practices to enable airlines to deliver a superior passenger experience with ease.

Anuvu launches Explore, a user-friendly and comprehensive online library that simplifies choosing inflight entertainment content. The innovative solution delivers to airlines a modern and efficient alternative to the industry’s legacy approach to content and media selection.

For decades, inflight entertainment selection has been a complex and time-intensive process centered around manually searching lengthy PDF attachments, PowerPoints and Excel spreadsheets to find and select the right content mix. With Explore, Anuvu elevates content selection into the digital age with an easy-to-use, cloud-based website.

“We are thrilled to offer a simple, informative and technology-driven solution for airlines when it comes to viewing available titles,” said Anuvu’s Terri Davies, SVP Content & Media Services. “Choosing content should not be a time-consuming and tedious process, and with Explore, airlines will be able to easily provide their passengers the very best media and content.”

Explore offers airlines full visibility into their content options via an online platform, accessible 24/7, to discover and easily filter through recommended and available titles. Through the intuitive dashboard, airlines can view essential details and metadata for each title, including trailers, synopses, cast and crew, available languages, and IMDB scores.

Explore pairs with Anuvu’s innovative subscription service Iris, which offers airlines a tailored and pre-curated variety of content. Together, Explore and Iris modernize inflight entertainment in a way that eases the selection burden for airlines, builds content based on an airline’s specific needs, maximizes return-on investment, and delivers to passengers a memorable inflight entertainment experience.


PANASONIC

Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) has appointed Chris VandenBerg as Chief Engineer (Software).

In this role, Chris will be responsible for delivering the company’s highly complex, end-to-end software that redefines how airlines interact with their passengers onboard the aircraft. He will report to CTO, Joe Bentley, and will lead a multi-disciplined and talented team of highly skilled individuals across Panasonic Avionics’ global footprint. Chris will also act as the company’s primary technical contact with its customers.

Bentley said, “Our customers are always looking for new ways to deliver an enhanced passenger experience, generate revenue, increase passenger engagement and improve operational efficiencies. Robust and reliable software will be the foundation for the kinds of products and solutions that help them achieve their organizational goals. Chris has a wealth of experience in software design and development and is highly knowledgeable in delivering a final production product from its concept phase. I am delighted to welcome him back to Panasonic Avionics where he will again be a major asset to our team.”

Chris has over 25 years of experience in software programming, hardware design, and system architecture. He re-joins Panasonic Avionics from Safran Passenger Innovations, where he was Technical Fellow – Head of Software Architecture from 2019, managing a team of software architectures and developers.

Chris brings 14 years of experience at Panasonic Avionics, having joined as Principal Software Engineer in 2004 and progressed to become CTO, Global Communications in 2016. During this time, he managed engineering teams in the company’s satellite communications division and designed the company’s Global IPTV system, including its first generation of IP back-haul and up-link distributions.

Chris VandenBerg said, “As an award-winning provider of in-flight entertainment and connectivity, Panasonic Avionics is a company I am very proud to be a part of, and I look forward to working with my fellow colleagues to enhance the standards of software engineering excellence that we deliver to our airline customers.”

Panasonic Avionics has led the industry in providing new ways to increase passenger engagement through its growing portfolio of digital solutions. Its immersive ArcTM 3D map product has been adopted by over 20 airlines since its debut at Aircraft Interiors in 2019. Its Marketplace solution, launched with Singapore airlines earlier this year, enables airlines to create turn-key eCommerce experiences by expanding their storefront retail and duty-free offerings onboard, with the ability to present dynamic inventory and initiate promotions throughout the customer journey.


THALES

  • American Airlines’ new A321XLR and Boeing 787-9 fleets will be equipped with Thales’ latest AVANT solution.
  • American Airlines will be the first customer to fly with Thales’ new line of high-performance Optiq displays, the industry’s first 4K high dynamic range (HDR) seatback screens enhanced with Samsung QLED proprietary technology.
  • The airline’s A321XLR and Boeing 787-9 aircraft are anticipated to enter service in 2023.

American Airlines has selected Thales’ latest AVANT inflight entertainment (IFE) solution to equip its new A321XLR and Boeing 787-9 aircraft for transcontinental and international travel.

American’s aircraft will be the launch customer flying with Thales’ new line of Optiq displays, the industry’s first 4K high dynamic range (HDR) seatback screens enhanced with Samsung QLED proprietary technology. Optiq provides passengers with the best monitor experience in the air, with an unrivaled picture quality featuring more than 1 billion colors.

The system is capable of Bluetooth connection at each seat, which allows passengers to pair their wireless headphones to the system.

Premium Class seats will enjoy 17-inch displays accompanied with a 5-inch touchscreen handset offering a true second-screen experience. Premium Economy and Economy Class will feature 13.3-inch displays and 11.6-inch displays, respectively.

AVANT will be integrated with American’s high-speed connectivity system to provide digital services and real-time health monitoring & reporting.

American has also selected Thales’ high-power charging solutions, which will give passengers access to both USB type C 60-watt and AC outlets at each seat in all classes. This solution is designed to meet the specific power needs of passengers, now and in the future.

“American Airlines has trusted Thales as an inflight entertainment supplier for more than a decade and now to equip its new A321XLR and Boeing 787-9 aircraft with the latest AVANT IFE solution. As air travel begins to recover, Thales continues to invest in digital innovations that create value for our customers. We’re truly excited to provide these solutions to American and its customers.” Yannick Assouad, Executive Vice-President Avionics, Thales

Also From Thales:

Thales has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Moog ground-based navigation aids business located in Salt Lake City, Utah. – Moog navigation aid offerings complement Thales’ family of navigation aids.Upon acquisition closing, in addition to fixed navigation aids, Thales will gain “man-portable” technology, further supporting contingency air operations as well as evolving military mobility needs. The post-acquisition integration will augment Thales U.S.-based engineering, industrial and technology capabilities.


PEGASUS AIRLINE

Pegasus Airlines has set its 2030 interim target for carbon emissions; the airline aims to reduce flight-related carbon (CO2) emissions per unit passenger kilometre (RPK) by 20% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.


OTHER NEWS

Women in Aviation has selected the 2022 inductees for its International Pioneer Hall of Fame. These women will be honored during the 33rd Annual International Women in Aviation Conference, held March 17-19, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee. The 2022 Pioneer Hall of Fame inductees are: Cornelia Clark Fort, Capt. Rosemary Bryant Mariner, U.S. Navy, and Col. Peggy A. Phillips, (retired) of the U.S. Air Force.
Congrats Ladies!

SMARTSKY

Flying Colours Corp. the international maintenance, repair, overhaul, and completions company, signed an agreement with North Carolina-based SmartSky Networks to act as a sales and installation facility for SmartSky’s air-to-ground connectivity equipment.

Sales and installation of the advanced antennas and aircraft base radio will be available through Flying Colours Corp.’ Peterborough, ON. and St. Louis, MO. locations. The continued strengthening of the business aviation sector is driving greater use of connected services for avionics, aircraft health monitoring, and cabin WiFi. This is increasing the demand for inflight connectivity that is dependable, immediate, and secure, and necessitating a wider variety of options for owners and operators.

“Every time we talk to a customer about refurbishment, or completions, we have the connectivity conversation. We already have extensive experience upgrading and installing connectivity equipment, and regularly advise on the most suitable options for a customer’s mission profile. Adding the SmartSky equipment to our roster brings yet another dimension to our offering as it expands the choice for those seeking an unparalleled connectivity experience that supports both the cabin, and the aircraft, in North America,” says Kevin Kliethermes, director of sales, Flying Colours Corp.

The SmartSky Networks’ flagship equipment consists of two sleek antennas and a small aircraft base radio (ABR). The antenna and radio design has been optimized for business aviation use by providing high throughput to and from the aircraft – a key requirement for today’s cloud-native applications and services. Flying Colours Corp. will be providing the entire shipset through SmartSky’s latest Early Arrival promotion, and already has equipment available for immediate installation on many STC’d aircraft types.

“We are pleased to add Flying Colours Corp. to our community of partners and share in their commitment to delivering the highest quality and performance for business aviation’s connectivity needs. Their track record of delivering exceptional aftermarket services, developing STC’s, and installing innovative systems has established Flying Colours Corp. as a sought-after provider for business aviation.”


PANASONIC

Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) has been named the winner of the 2021 Popular Science Best of What’s New Award in its Aerospace category.

Panasonic Avionics won the award for its eX1 in-flight entertainment (IFE) solution for narrowbody aircraft, featuring Bluetooth audio technology which enables easy connections between wireless headphones and seatback IFE screens. This solution was launched earlier this year on United Airlines’ new Boeing 737 MAX fleet and has also debuted with Cathay Pacific Airways.

Panasonic Avionics’ eX1 IFE Bluetooth solution is available at every seat, across both premium and economy cabins. The company’s unique approach optimizes emitted Bluetooth signal levels to each passenger’s personal living space, significantly reducing the chance of interference or cross-connections between seats. With this new product enhancements, customers can use their personal Bluetooth headphones which has become an increasingly popular trend in the consumer space.

Bluetooth audio is an integral part of Panasonic Avionics’ X Series and NEXT Series IFE systems. Incorporating the latest advancements in antenna design and radio wave forming, Panasonic Avionics’ NEXT Series IFE employs a patented industry leading solution to deliver an augmented cinematic experience in every cabin class.

Popular Science’s Best of What’s New is a definitive list of up to 100 of the most incredible and innovative technologies and products from the past year, with this year being its 34th edition. To win, a product or technology must represent a significant step forward in its category.

To pick the winners, Popular Science’s editors vet thousands of candidates – ranging from feats of engineering to hyper-intelligent software, with an entry process designed to ensure that they learn about the maximum number of technologies and products.

Ken Sain, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, says: “For over thirty years, these prestigious awards from Popular Science have captured some of the greatest steps forward in innovation and development. Panasonic Avionics is honored to join this select group.”


INMARSAT

Inmarsat celebrated the fifth anniversary of GX Aviation, its most successful passenger inflight broadband service to date. Since entering commercial service in 2016, the award-winning solution has been selected by more than 35 airlines and activated on over 550 aircraft, with approximately 1,000 additional aircraft in the order book.

Powered by Global Xpress (GX), GX Aviation has transformed the airline passenger experience, offering reliable, consistent and high-speed infight connectivity on par with mobile Wi-Fi on the ground. It unlocks a host of new ancillary revenue streams for airlines and ensures they meet rising expectations from passengers to stay connected, browse the internet, stream video and audio, enjoy social media, shop online and more while on a flight.

Millions of passengers have enjoyed access to GX Aviation over the years, with major airline customers including Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, AirAsia, Eurowings, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, Philippine Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. This impressive list continues to grow, with installations underway or planned with existing and new customers, including SAUDIA, as announced at the Dubai Airshow last month.

This latest milestone for GX Aviation comes at a critical time for the aviation industry, with the pandemic having accelerated passenger demand for digital inflight experiences. Inmarsat’s 2021 Passenger Confidence Tracker, the largest and most comprehensive global survey of its kind since the pandemic began, found that digital solutions that keep passengers connected and minimize their contact with cabin crew and fellow passengers can go a long way in boosting confidence. In addition, out of the 10,000 respondents, 41% believed inflight Wi-Fi had further increased in importance after the pandemic.

Philippe Carette, President of Inmarsat Aviation, said: “GX Aviation has transformed the global inflight broadband market, offering unprecedented performance that has been truly embraced by airlines and their passengers. We celebrate its fifth anniversary with our world-class partner ecosystem, including industry-leading distributors such as Safran, SITA, Thales, Collins Aerospace and Honeywell.”

“Each of these companies has a relentless focus on providing the best possible onboard experience, so airlines can meet evolving passenger needs and maximize the vast commercial possibilities of inflight connectivity. Together, we have established GX Aviation as our most successful passenger broadband service and Inmarsat is investing more than ever to cement its leadership for decades to come.”

The GX network currently consists of five Ka-band satellites and Inmarsat’s technology roadmap will offer a number of major enhancements. Seven further satellites are set to launch by 2024, starting with the first Inmarsat-6, I-6 F1, in December 2021. This is the most sophisticated commercial communications satellite ever built and will be followed by four additional satellites in geostationary orbit – adding speed, capacity and resilience – and two in highly elliptical orbit, enabling the world’s only commercial mobile broadband service for aircraft flying in higher elevations and across the Arctic.

However, GX is more than just a global satellite network, it is a complete end-to-end solution and Inmarsat has been equally ambitious in developing its ground stations, hardware, software and cybersecurity framework. This includes a next-generation terminal developed with GDC Advanced Technology, featuring GDC’s dual modem manager (MODMAN), with components by Kontron, together with a proven, reliable and high-performance flat panel antenna by ThinKom. Following a range of technology assessments and test flights, the powerful new terminal has demonstrated its ability to deliver the highest levels of connectivity, even over the world’s busiest airspaces.

And More …

Inmarsat, announced that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved and certified an advanced, next-generation terminal that will optimize further the performance of its market-leading GX Aviation inflight broadband solution.

The recently-awarded Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) authorizes the powerful new Falcon 300 terminal to be installed on Boeing 737 aircraft, marking a significant milestone for the lightweight, low-drag solution. Developed with GDC Advanced Technology, a leader in engineering and technical services, modifications and electronic systems, the terminal includes GDC’s dual modem manager (MODMAN), with components by Kontron, together with a proven, reliable flat panel antenna by ThinKom.

The certification was obtained under GDC’s Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) program from its facility in Fort Worth, Texas. STCs for additional aircraft types are now underway, in addition to linefit plans for Boeing and Airbus airframes, reinforcing Falcon 300’s suitability for a wide range of fleets.

Demand for inflight connectivity has soared as passengers start returning to the skies after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Inmarsat’s recently released 2021 Passenger Confidence Tracker, the largest and most comprehensive global survey of its kind since the pandemic began, 41% of respondents believe that having Wi-Fi on their flights is even more important now than pre-COVID. Wi-Fi allows them to stay connected with friends and family and supports a touch-free environment.

To meet evolving passenger demands, airlines around the world can benefit from the ultra-high performance capabilities of the new terminal. Available today, it was selected recently by SAUDIA, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, as part of an agreement for GX Aviation to be installed and activated onboard its upcoming fleet of 35 Airbus A321neo and Airbus A321XLR aircraft.

In addition, the terminal is also available as part of Inmarsat’s transformational new GX+ North America connectivity solution, which seamlessly integrates the extensive worldwide coverage and resilience of Inmarsat’s Global Xpress High-Throughput Satellite (HTS) network with the unrivalled capacity of Hughes’ JUPITER™ HTS constellation across North America. This brings unprecedented capacity, speed and reliability to North American airlines and their passengers, who will enjoy unconstrained bandwidth activities on flights, even when flying at full capacity over the busiest airport hubs.

And More News:

Inmarsat mobile satellite communications, and SAUDIA, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, reinforced their new inflight connectivity partnership at the APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) EXPO 2021 in Long Beach, California. A celebration and gift exchange was hosted at Inmarsat Aviation’s stand, where its President Philippe Carette welcomed a senior delegation from SAUDIA, including the airline’s CEO Captain Ibrahim S. Koshy.

It follows the recent selection of Inmarsat’s award-winning GX Aviation inflight broadband solution and OneFi passenger experience platform for SAUDIA’s upcoming fleet of 35 Airbus A321neo and A321XLR aircraft, marking the Middle East’s first major airline connectivity agreement since the Covid-19 pandemic began. The combination of GX Aviation and OneFi will enable SAUDIA to provide a world-class digital experience for passengers onboard the aircraft, with the first installation expected in late 2022.

More Inmarsat News:

Inmarsat is working on a UK Space Agency-funded test project with the European Space Agency, alongside British partners Goonhilly Earth Station Limited and GMVNSL Limited, to deliver the first UK-generated satellite navigation (satnav) signal. The project provides a potential platform for the UK to enhance its capabilities in the Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) domain post-Brexit.

Repurposing a transponder from the Inmarsat-3 F5 (I-3 F5) satellite, the test project – UK Space Based Augmentation System or UKSBAS – will provide an overlay signal to augment the United States Global Positioning System (US GPS) satellite navigation system. This can refine the precision of the signal from a few meters to a few centimeters in accuracy.

UKSBAS will provide a basis to assess its future development into an operational capability to support safety-critical applications such as aircraft approaching and landing at airports or navigating ships through narrow channels, especially at night and in poor weather conditions. Goonhilly will provide the uplink for the system from Cornwall and software from GMVNSL, based in Nottingham, will generate the ground-based navigation signal. This is a similar system to that already in use in Australia and New Zealand, supported by Inmarsat. UKSBAS will be the first UK-generated national satnav signal.

This project could be crucial for UK users who need accurate, high-integrity navigation capabilities to enable their operations, initially covering aviation and maritime operations but with potential extension into rail and other land vehicle applications. For example, UKSBAS will be International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards-compliant.

SAUDIA will be GX Aviation’s launch customer in Saudi Arabia, with the service allowing passengers to seamlessly browse the internet, stream videos, check social media, shop online and more during flights using their own personal devices. In addition, the OneFi platform will serve as a catalyst for SAUDIA to monetize its inflight connectivity by bringing a host of real-time onboard services together within a single portal interface, such as ordering food, beverages and duty free items, enjoying e-books, newspapers and magazines, receiving flight updates, and signing into SAUDIA’s AlFursan frequent flyer program.

The UK no longer has access to the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) Safety of Life services since leaving the European Union (EU) and is not involved in the EU’s Galileo program for similar reasons. Therefore, this new national capability supported by current and future Inmarsat satellites could offer a new option for high-integrity, precision navigation across the country, in its airspace and within surrounding waters.

I-3F5 is in geosynchronous orbit at 54° west, ensuring that its signal covers the UK as part of its Atlantic Ocean region service overlay. This makes it an ideal candidate to participate in this test. The satellite was manufactured by Inmarsat’s Athena partner Lockheed Martin and launched in 1998.


THALES

Thales has acquired the Moog ground-based navigation aids business located in Salt Lake City, Utah, enabling it to provide a more comprehensive navigation aid offering to its customers worldwide.

The acquisition was completed after Thales received the required regulatory approvals in October 2021.


BOEING

777 Partners Orders 30 Additional 737 MAX Airplanes

  • Investment firm has ordered a total of 68 737 MAXs in 2021, including 737-8 and 737-8-200 models
  • 777 Partners leveraging the 737 to expand cost-effective, fuel-efficient operations for its affiliated low-cost carriers

Boeing and 777 Partners announced the Miami-based investment firm will nearly double its 737 MAX order book with the purchase of 30 additional jets. The new order expands 777 Partners’ commercial aircraft portfolio to a total of 68 737 MAXs, in its fourth order this year for the fuel-efficient, single-aisle jets. Valued at $3.7 billion at list prices, the order will enable 777 Partners to expand 737 MAX operations across the fleet of its affiliated global low-cost carriers.

The 737 MAX family reduces fuel use and carbon emissions by at least 14% compared to the airplanes it replaces, reducing operating costs as well as the environmental footprint for 777 Partners’ affiliated airlines. Every 737 MAX features a passenger-pleasing Boeing Sky Interior, highlighted by modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness and larger pivoting overhead storage bins.


CRYSTAL CABIN AWARDS

For the 15th time, the Crystal Cabin Award Association is preparing to recognize and honor the best ideas for the aircraft cabin in the coming year. There are once again eight categories for the upcoming edition of the award, although some of the categories have been refined. Gathering at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg (14 – 16 June 2022), the expert jury will, for example, be choosing a winner for the best innovation in the “Sustainable Cabin” category for the first time. The award, launched in Hamburg, provides an indicator of what we can expect to see on board when we fly in the near future. Winners in 2020 included Safran, winning in multiple categories, as well as Airbus and Eviation. Submissions for the Crystal Cabin Award 2022 can be lodged at www.crystal-cabin-award.com until 6 February 2022.

(Editor’s Note: Here are the 8 categories:Cabin Concepts, Cabin Systems, Health & Safety, IFEC & Digital Services, Material & Components, Passenger Comfort, Sustainable Cabin, and University!)


OTHER NEWS

This week at APEX in California, we thought we would give our readers a peak at a product that would make their group experiences safer. And so, we contacted Web Barth, a long-time industry expert and asked him if we could provide a bit more information about a product that will make a trade show much safer – a face mask with some unique characteristics. The product that Web features is presently being used by flight crews and flight attendants  on Jordanian, and other Middle Eastern airlines.We were curious to know more and asked Web to tell us a little bit about the patented masks he will introduce to our industry this week during APEX. Since we knew little about his product,  Fine Guard Masks, we asked why his product has been developed for aviation: “Our particular brand the BreatheEasy Mask™ combines a very thin 99,9% protective material designed for athletes with the comfort of their conventional and popular ear loop design. This product is fully and patented with an international patent by a company called LIVINGUARD® of Switzerland, and as you might guess, I hunted for a product that would help anybody who flies on a plane!” We next had to ask how his masks differ from others available in today’s marketplace and he told IFExpress: “The reason being, the patented technology of the mask is a coating on the fibers of the fabric, which causes it to maintain a positive charge. Interestingly, this solution protects from any kind of airborne virus Covid, SARS, the flu, HIV, Delts Variant, Ebola, etc.

IFExpress asked Web what different technology was featured in the BreathEasy and he told us: “Interestingly, this product is fully and patented on international patent by a company called LIVINGUARD® of Switzerland. My client has an exclusive manufacturing license with LILVINGUARD. We at VirExit have exclusive marketing and sales representation for all airlines and airports in the world. You can find Fine Guard masks available on Amazon today. They have sold about 10  million masks in 100 different countries.”

IFExpress was also curious about the life of the BreathEasy Mask and Web said: “It can be washed 50 times and has a life of about a year. The reason being, the patented technology of the mask is a coating on the fibers of the fabric, which causes it to maintain a positive charge. This minute positive charge is enough to attract the negative charge of viruses in the atmosphere. When the virus attaches or runs into the mask fabric it basically shorts it out, destroying the virus.

IFExpress thinks a  popular airline model might be to give the mask complementary to First and Business-Class and sell it in coach. Lastly, we inquired if children could use his product, and he told us: “Yes, it is available in children’s sizes.”

After discussing this impressive COVID-19 safety product, we believe showing the product at APEX is a good idea, especially with the latest mutation, omicron, recently surfacing. Web mentioned that there could well be a mask for this week’s APEX attendees. Web can be found at APEX in Booth 526!

Editor’s Note: Web has over 35 years’ experience in developing 20+ new products and new companies. Some might remember Web from APEX 2004-2007 when as COO he developed the portable, in flight (DigEplayer). DigEcor sold 28 airlines worldwide, was chosen the “Best In Flight Entertainment System for 2004” and selected “Entrepreneurial Company of the Year” by Frost & Sullivan Research. Web holds a BS in Marketing and two master’s degrees (MS Marketing Management and an MBA).

Mask-wearing cuts new COVID-19 cases


SMARTSKY

SmartSky Networks, the next-generation air-to-ground connectivity provider, announced the launch of business operations for commercial regional airlines across the Continental United States (CONUS). Supported by SmartSky’s broad and growing network availability, publicly demonstrated high-performance service, and FAA certifications for a growing range of regional jet aircraft models, this launch signals an inflection point for domestic regional airline connectivity.

“We are ready to introduce our superior connectivity solution to regional airlines and provide best-in-class inflight connectivity for passengers,” says David Helfgott, CEO of SmartSky Networks. “The need for consistent, secure access to data and applications is constant, especially for regional passengers who are often traveling during the busy work week. As domestic travel returns to pre-Covid-19 levels, those who fly are increasingly frustrated by poor connectivity that is slow, unreliable and not secure.”

In the past year, SmartSky has achieved many technical and business milestones on-time, to-spec, and on-budget. SmartSky continues to deploy its ATG network – now covering over 65% of CONUS flight hours, has received FCC and FAA approvals, confirmation of Honeywell and Avionica as authorized Value-Added-Resellers, and has raised over $100M in funding from committed investors.

SmartSky continues to expand its network footprint and will complete 2021 with coverage activated for roughly 80% of CONUS flight routes on its way to FULL CONUS in the first half of 2022. With supplemental type certificates (STCs) covering more than 4,000 aircraft already in hand, including the popular ERJ 135/145 series, and performance over 10x better than currently available legacy ATG services, SmartSky is challenging the status quo for inflight connectivity and ready to deliver superior value to regional airlines looking to upgrade.

“All SmartSky products, systems and solutions have been built with technical integrity and excellence, working closely with the industry to provide the best combination of features and functionality. We are ready to bring these advancements to regional air travelers,” adds Helfgott.

SmartSky delivers a superior air-to-ground connectivity experience for regional airlines, with its patented beamforming technology and network architecture. The result is a very low-latency, high-bandwidth, and symmetrical data communications service capable of providing responsive Internet/data access for cloud-based business applications, secure encrypted communications, and support for the aviation community’s operational data and real-time telematics needs.

SmartSky’s products and services are available through a growing network of Value-Added-Reseller (VAR) and installation partners and includes three interrelated offerings: i) the best-in-class, next-generation Air-to-Ground network, ii) advanced shipset hardware for aircraft communications, and iii) a transformational digital platform and application-layer, Skytelligence®.

Visit SmartSky Networks at APEX EXPO booth #919.


PANASONIC

Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) announced an agreement with Singapore Airlines that will provide a seamless and harmonized in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) experience across the airline’s widebody and narrowbody fleets.

Singapore Airlines has selected Panasonic Avionics’ eX1 IFE solution for its new fleet of 37 Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The system features full-HD seatback monitors in both the Business Class and Economy Class, complete with capacitive touch screen displays and USB charging ports. Each Business Class seat’s IFE comes with an additional handset and in-seat power outlets.

Singapore Airlines has also selected global in-flight connectivity services from Panasonic Avionics which can deliver average speeds up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) to the aircraft, with peak speeds reaching 200 Mbps and higher. The airline’s in-flight connectivity experience, powered by Panasonic Avionics’ global network of high-speed, high-bandwidth satellites will deliver a host of next-generation connectivity benefits, including fast internet and in-flight mobile phone services. This will enable the airline to meet the growing connectivity demand of travelers today and into the future.

The passenger experience made possible by these IFEC solutions also includes the company’s immersive 3D in-flight map platform, ArcTM. This visually stunning, in-flight map experience brings a wide range of innovations to the traditional map application, helping to increase overall customer engagement and loyalty made possible through a fully integrated IFE and connectivity system. The agreement with Singapore Airlines represents the first launch of Panasonic Avionics’ ArcTM map platform on the 737-8 platform.

Ken Sain, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said, “Our eX1 solution, connectivity and Arc map capabilities brings the full power and potential of in-flight entertainment and connectivity into the narrowbody cabin, and will ensure that Singapore Airlines can offer an amazing and consistent passenger experience across its fleet.”

This agreement with Singapore Airlines is the latest milestone in a 26-year partnership that has seen the carrier select Panasonic Avionics’ IFEC solutions for its widebody fleet. Earlier this year, the airline became the launch customer for Panasonic Avionics’ new Marketplace digital eCommerce platform.


OTHER NEWS

Here are some good links on daily commercial flight data from the Flight Aware folks: