Mar 13, 2014 - and the demand for Ku-band in-flight connectivity services is enormous. ... entertainment choices, result
PANASONIC SEES INCREASE IN CONNECTIVITY INSTALLATIONS AS RADOME IS BIRD STRIKE CERTIFIED Lake Forest, California, 13 March, 2014 – Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic) today announced that it will double the size of its connectivityequipped fleet by the end of 2014 following FAA certification of a bird strike compliant radome for B777-200 aircraft. The STC (supplemental type certificate) for the B777-200 radome paves the way for approvals on other aircraft types. Panasonic currently has more than 150 B777-200 aircraft scheduled for installation, and further STC approvals are expected in April for the B757, and for the B767 in September. Paul Margis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation says: “Airlines are requiring that their aircraft be connected quickly, and the demand for Ku-band in-flight connectivity services is enormous. This week’s STC approval marks a major step forward in our rapid installation program. “By the end of this year, 23 airlines will be taking advantage of our unique global high speed satellite network enabling their passengers to stay connected in-flight.” Earlier this week, Panasonic completed the installation of its award-wining Global Communications Services on the 400th aircraft, which is a United Airlines B747400 commissioned in China. Over the last five days, Panasonic has installed its global broadband Wi-Fi service on nine separate aircraft for five different customers including the B747-400 mentioned above, plus three B777-300s, two B747-800s, an A330, an A320, and an A319. The first A380 test flight with Panasonic’s global broadband Wi-Fi service installed also occurred this week in Hamburg. Moving forward, Panasonic will increase installations by 30 percent and equip up to 40 aircraft installations of all types per month. The company expects to have over 800 aircraft using its broadband in-flight Wi-Fi service by December of 2014. Panasonic’s in-flight Wi-Fi service delivers a connected experience similar to what travelers experience on the ground. It provides two-way broadband communications to an aircraft and supports internet browsing, email, social
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networking and other crew and passenger applications. It also offers airlines the ability to improve operational efficiencies by enabling electronic flight bag, realtime weather updates, live engine monitoring and other services, some of which were highlighted with the recent memorandum of understanding Panasonic signed with Singapore Airlines. - Ends About Panasonic Avionics Corporation Panasonic Avionics Corporation is the world's leading supplier of in-flight entertainment and communication systems. The company's best-in-class solutions, supported by professional maintenance services, fully integrate with the cabin enabling airlines to deliver the ultimate travel experiences with a rich variety of entertainment choices, resulting in improved quality communication systems and solutions, reduced time-to-market and lower overall costs. Established in 1979, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, a U.S. corporation, is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. Headquartered in Lake Forest, California with over 3,100 employees and operations in 80 locations worldwide, it serves over 200 customers worldwide and provides IFEC systems on over 3,700 aircraft. For additional information, please visit www.panasonic.aero Press Contacts Brian Bardwell Panasonic Avionics Corporation Tel: +1 949 462 1742 E-Mail:
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