Press Releases – Jun 2012

 

28.06.12 | Delta Expands World’s Largest Wi-Fi-Equipped Fleet to Include International Aircraft

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will begin offering in-flight Internet service on its long-haul international fleet of more than 150 aircraft, which includes Boeing 777, 767, 747, Airbus 330 and transoceanic Boeing 757 aircraft in early 2013.

The expanded Wi-Fi service will use satellites to provide coverage internationally and will complement the existing air-to-ground service already provided by Gogo for aircraft flying within the domestic U.S.

Delta already operates the world’s largest Wi-Fi-equipped fleet of aircraft with more than 3,000 flights daily, including its entire fleet of 550 domestic mainline aircraft. More than 800 Delta aircraft, including all Delta Connection two-class regional jets, are equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi service offering more than 400,000 customers per day access to the internet above 10,000 feet.

The international service will use high-bandwidth Ku-band capacity satellites to provide global coverage..When complete in 2015, Delta will operate approximately 1,000 Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft in its worldwide fleet.

“Delta’s advancements in technology have been a key component to our improvements in the customer travel experience and have been cited by J.D. Power and Associates and PC World magazine as important aspects of travel,” said Tim Mapes, Delta’s senior vice president – Marketing. “With our expansion of international Wi-Fi options across our fleet, Delta customers will be able to stay connected throughout their journey.”

The expansion of in-flight Wi-Fi to Delta’s transoceanic fleet is the latest in the airline’s more than $3 billion investment in enhanced global products, services and airport facilities through 2013. In addition to Wi-Fi improvements, Delta has added more First Class seats and in-flight entertainment to its domestic product; offering full flat-bed BusinessElite seats on its entire international widebody fleet; recently completed the system-wide roll-out of Economy Comfort on all two-class aircraft; adding personal, in-seat entertainment for both BusinessElite and Economy class customers on all long-haul international flights; updating Delta Sky Clubs throughout the system; and upgrading new terminal facilities for international customers at its two largest global gateways – the new international terminal in Atlanta now open and the expanded international terminal opening next May at New York-JFK.

Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. During the past year, Delta was named domestic “Airline of the Year” by the readers of Travel Weekly magazine, was named the “Top Tech-Friendly U.S. Airline” by PCWorld magazine for its innovation in technology and won the Business Travel News Annual Airline Survey. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to nearly 350 destinations in 65 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry’s leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 13,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline’s service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, a world-class airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Delta is investing more than $3 billion through 2013 in airport facilities and global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.

 

28.06.12 | IFE Services produces first ‘History of IFE’ timeline on Facebook

IFE Services, one of the world’s leading in-flight entertainment(IFE) providers, has produced the first ‘History of the IFE Industry’ on Facebook.

This unique and comprehensive timeline begins in 1921 when the first in-flight movie, ‘Howdy Chicago’, premiered on an Aeromarine Airways flight as the amphibious airplane flew around the city of Chicago.

The timeline includes major milestones in the IFE industry such as the first in-flight movies played on projectors, the launch of in-seat headsets, the development of the first audio visual on-demand(AVOD) system, the introduction of in-seat power and the first ever live TV programme to appear via satellite on an aircraft.

“We’re passionate about our industry and proud of its origins and advancements over the past 90 years,” said Adrian Lambert, Head of Marketing at IFE Services. “We hope IFE professionals and people outside of our industry alike will find this unique look at the history and developments of in-flight entertainment as fascinating and inspiring as we do.”

To see the ‘history of the IFE industry’ timeline visit: www.facebook.com/ifeservices

 

28.06.12 | KLM successfully migrates to revenue accounting solution from Lufthansa Systems

Lufthansa Systems announced that with the introduction of the Sirax AirFinance Platform for the Dutch airline KLM, it has finished implementing the new revenue accounting system for the Air France-KLM Group. The group had opted to modernize its financial management system with the IT solution from Lufthansa Systems. This integrated system will enable Air France and KLM to optimize their financial management processes. KLM is already a long-standing user of Lido/Flight, the flight planning system from Lufthansa Systems.

“The Sirax AirFinance Platform will standardize the revenue accounting systems and processes of both airlines and simplify our internal billing,” explained Jean Claude Isabel, AF-KLM Overall Project Manager. Lufthansa Systems previously introduced the Sirax, SiraxCredit and SiraxView modules for Air France and has now done the same for KLM. This new system has completely replaced the old Impala revenue accounting system developed by KLM.

The Sirax AirFinance Platform from Lufthansa Systems is the first integrated platform to optimize all of an airline’s financial processes. With this system, Air France-KLM can achieve significant cost savings in the field of financial management. Ticket sales are automatically compared with actual flight data, and integrated sub-processes support the billing of interline flights among different airlines, enabling actual revenues to be determined quickly.

The supplemental SiraxCredit module fully automates all bookkeeping processes and the billing of transactions by credit card or electronic direct debit. SiraxView is a classic management information system which can analyze how certain marketing measures will affect revenues, for example. Close coordination between the IATA and Lufthansa Systems has ensured that the solution not only meets the current standards but also takes account of the latest developments like SIS (Simplified Interline Settlement) and EMD (Electronic Miscellaneous Document).

“Now that we have introduced Sirax at KLM, all of the airline’s own systems have been replaced and we have successfully completed the migration process for the Air France-KLM Group. Impala alone was used for over 28 years. This clearly shows how much the airline trusts our product and services, and it has strengthened our cooperation with the Air France-KLM Group. With Air France and KLM as close, long-term customers, we can consolidate our position in the European market,” said Marco Cesa, Senior Vice President Regional Management Europe at Lufthansa Systems.

The Air France-KLM Group consists of a holding company and several airlines which have retained their own brands and identities. Together, Air France and KLM have an extensive global network with hubs in Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol. The Air France-KLM Group currently serves 224 destinations worldwide with a fleet of 600 aircraft and carries 74.5 million passengers each year.

 

28.06.12 | More concessionaires than ever before attending ARC2012

ARC2012, the world’s most focused networking platform for airline buyers and suppliers, is delighted to announce that this year’s show will have more concessionaires in attendance than ever before.

Taking place on the 9th, 10th and 11th July at the Hilton London Metropole in London, ARC2012 is already looking to be more successful than previous years. As well as over 40 airlines, the world’s top 18 inflight concessionaires will also be attending.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response by both delegates and exhibitors for this year’s event”, said Alex Vail, ARC Event Director. “We have spent a lot of time creating an event that focuses on the right issues: innovation, improving onboard food and beverage and emerging markets. It is reassuring to know that in such a difficult economic climate, so many airline buyers recognise the value of the Airline Retail Conference”.

In addition to the impressive delegate numbers, this year’s exhibition will be bigger than ever before involving 78 companies, including the first ever Innovation Gallery. This provides a stage for suppliers to showcase their products who are keen to break into the inflight retail sector and have never sold onboard airlines before.

ARC2012 will take place on the 9th- 11th July at the Hilton London Metropole in London. The current agenda can be found online at http://airlineretail.com/current-event.

To register, or for more information about ARC2012, please call Shelly Guerrero on +44 20 7613 6959 or visit www.airlineretail.com.

 

27.06.12 | IFP hires IFEC expert as VP of Worldwide Business Development

IFP has added Jackie Frimer as Vice-President of Worldwide Business Development to its global team. Jackie will be in charge of developing the company’s international sales and business plans to leverage IFP’s strategy of driving the in-flight industry to adapt to the evolving marketplace.

Jackie Frimer has over a decade of experience working in in-flight entertainment. She commenced her IFECcareer working at Panasonic Avionics managing the Marketing and Public Relations efforts for the hardware company. She moved into content services at Interact where she brought her Latin American expertise to the company, making them leaders in the region.

Rob Hunter, CEO of IFP, commented: “We are delighted to add Jackie’s expertise to our global sales team. Her wealth of hardware and IFE content knowledge will be instrumental to IFP’s business strategy as we embrace the move towards digital, handheld and connected environments, and push the industry to change the way it markets and delivers content services to today’s airlines.”

 

27.06.12 | American Airlines and WestJet team up to offer frequent fliers more benefits

American Airlines and Canadian carrier WestJet Airlines® are expanding their cooperative relationship by introducing reciprocal frequent flier opportunities. Under this agreement, members of the American Airlines AAdvantage® program and WestJet’s WestJet Rewards® program can earn AAdvantage miles or WestJet dollars when traveling on flights operated by the other airline. This expanded relationship is in addition to the comprehensive codeshare agreement American and WestJet currently have in place that provides customers of both airlines more choices and greater connectivity when traveling between U.S. and Canadian gateways and beyond to cities throughout both countries.

“Our expanded cooperation with WestJet offers even more opportunities for our AAdvantage members to earn miles on flights to more destinations,” said Suzanne Rubin, President – AAdvantage Loyalty Program. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with WestJet and ensuring that our frequent fliers have valuable mileage earning – and redemption options wherever their travels take them.”

“We’re thrilled to begin this frequent flier partnership, which is a first for WestJet,” said Marshall Wilmot, WestJet’s Vice President – Product and Distribution. “This agreement represents the natural evolution of our strong codeshare relationship with American Airlines. We’re confident WestJet Rewards members will enjoy earning WestJet dollars faster as they fly with this valuable airline partner.”

Currently, the two airlines’ cooperative relationship provides American’s customers with codeshare service on 43 routes operated by WestJet, and provides WestJet’s customers with codeshare service on 61 routes operated by American and American Eagle®. Through this codeshare agreement, the two airlines serve Canada from all five of American’s key hubs of Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami and New York.

 

27.06.12 | Turkish Airlines optimizes flight operations with aeronautical solutions from Lufthansa Systems

Lufthansa Systems today announced that Turkish Airlines has opted for its Lido/FMS database and the Lido/RouteManual navigation charts. The paper-based charts will be replaced by the electronic charts (Lido/eRouteManual) at a later time. From the very beginning, Turkish Airlines will be using Lido/iRouteManual for tablet computers in addition to the paper charts. The contract signed by the two companies has a term of five years.

The Lido/FMS (Flight Management System) database contains all important route information including altitude and airport data to enable the use of optimized routes on board modern aircraft. The navigation data, which are based on global aeronautical information, are updated every 28 days according to the AIRAC cycle. The Lido/FMS database also contains important data to ensure the most efficient engine power levels, ultimately resulting in fuel savings. The data can be tailored individually to the respective aircraft model and route.

The paper-based Lido/RouteManual chart solution and its electronic counterpart Lido/eRouteManual provide Turkish Airlines with navigation charts for take-off and landing procedures as well as airport and route charts. Generated directly from the Lido navigation database, the charts contain all important route information such as altitude and airport data. They display true-to-scale geographic information including terrain features and rivers. The electronic solution Lido/eRouteManual offers faster and easier updating and makes it possible to plan routes more efficiently.

“Our pilots rely on the high-quality and up-to-date Lido/FMS data from Lufthansa Systems to optimize their navigation,” said Capt. Volkan Acar, Flight Standards Manager at Turkish Airlines. “The navigation charts generated from these data enable us to plan routes quickly and efficiently.”

Turkish Airlines will also be using the Lido/iRouteManual IT solution for flexible flight preparation. This app offers pilots an opportunity to access professional navigation charts for instrument flights (IFR charts) on their iPad. Updated charts will be provided for download every week so that the latest versions are always available for pilot briefings.

“We are delighted that our long-standing customer Turkish Airlines has selected our cockpit solutions. We thus make a substantial contribution to the carrier’s long-term success and look forward to continuing our good cooperation,” commented Marco Cesa, Senior Vice President Regional Management Europe at Lufthansa Systems.

Established in 1933, Turkish Airlines is based in Istanbul. The carrier serves 34 Turkish and 157 international destinations with its fleet of 179 aircraft. Turkish Airlines has been a member of the Star Alliance since 2008.

 

27.06.12 | Bmi purchase boosts British Airways domestic services from winter 2012

British Airways’ winter 2012 schedule is unveiled today. Highlights include:

• Great news for the UK regions as British Airways increases number of seats to Scotland by 32 per cent (versus its winter 2011 schedule) and begins flying between London City and Aberdeen, Heathrow and Leeds Bradford, and Heathrow and Belfast
• British Airways returns to the Isle of Man
• New routes from London Heathrow to Seoul and Zagreb
• New routes from London Gatwick to Las Vegas and Barcelona
• Bologna and Marseille flights move from Gatwick to Heathrow
• Increased frequency on numerous routes

The UK regions are set to benefit from British Airways’ new winter schedule, which begins on October 28, 2012 thanks to parent company IAG’s purchase of bmi.

The airline will add extra frequencies and use bigger aircraft on flights to Scotland enabling it to offer nearly 27,000 more seats a week between London and Scotland. This includes two extra flights a day between London Heathrow and Edinburgh and two extra flights per day between Heathrow and Aberdeen.

In addition British Airways is also starting a three-per-day service between London City and Aberdeen on September 24 to connect the two business hubs.

From December 9, British Airways will start four flights per day between Heathrow and Leeds Bradford, connecting Yorkshire with the airline’s extensive global route network at Heathrow and increasing consumer choice in the North of England. The airline has already taken over bmi’s six daily flights to Belfast, and will be launching a new timetable of seven flights a day between London and the Northern Irish capital on October 28.

A new London City to Isle of Man route has also recently launched.

At the time of EU approval for the bmi deal, IAG committed to launching new flights to important trading nations and delivering on that, British Airways is to begin flying six times a week to Seoul in South Korea from December 2.

A brand new, thrice weekly service from London Gatwick to Las Vegas starts on October 29.

In Europe, Zagreb in Croatia will benefit from new daily flights to Heathrow from December 9, six flights a week to Venice will be added to the London City route network on September 17 and a new three-per-day service from London Gatwick to Barcelona will launch on February 23, 2013.

From October 28, former bmi routes from London Heathrow to Agadir, Bergen and Stavanger will become new British Airways routes from Terminal 5, while former bmi routes Belfast and Hanover will become new British Airways Terminal 1 routes.

British Airways aircraft and crew will operate these routes, and customers will receive the full-service airline’s on-board experience.

A number of existing British Airways routes including Basel, Dusseldorf, Luxembourg, Lyon and Toulouse will move from Terminal 5 to Terminal 1 on October 28.

There will be an increase in frequencies in winter 2012 (versus winter 2011) from Heathrow to Aberdeen (from six to eight flights per day), Edinburgh (from 10 to 12 flights a day), Manchester (from 10 to 11 flights a day), Oslo (from four to five flights per day), Zurich (from six to seven per day) and Phoenix (from six to seven flights per week). Flights to Bologna will be consolidated at Heathrow, with an increase in frequency on the existing Heathrow service from seven per week to 21 per week.

At Gatwick, services will increase to Faro (from four to five flights per week), Malaga (from seven to ten flights per week) and Marrakech (three to seven flights per week) from October 28, and extra services will be added to Salzburg and Turin for the winter ski season. Flights to Marseille will move from Gatwick to Heathrow on October 28.

Due to the volume of changes being made to British Airways’ network for winter 2012, the changes will go on sale on ba.com in stages over the next few days and further route announcements will be made next month.

Keith Williams, British Airways’ CEO, said: “bmi’s integration into British Airways is really enabling us to grow our network as we promised, giving customers more flights to destinations we know they want to fly to.

“We’re focusing on new routes such as Seoul, Leeds Bradford and Zagreb, more flights to popular destinations and creating more connections for the UK regions to our global network of flying.”

 

27.06.12 | JAL Adds Vienna to Network Through New Codeshare with airberlin’s NIKI

Japan Airlines (JAL) announced today the launch of a new codeshare cooperation with NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH (NIKI) – a subsidiary of fellow oneworld alliance member airberlin. Starting from July 1, 2012, JAL’s flight indicator will be placed on NIKI’s six-weekly service connecting Frankfurt and Vienna International Airport. Reservations and sales for the codeshare flight begin June 27, 2012.

Founded in 2003, NIKI is an airline based in Vienna – the capital of Austria, operating flights throughout Europe with a fleet of more than 20 Airbus and Embraer aircraft. The latest arrangement with NIKI further strengthens JAL’s codeshare partnership with the airberlin Group which started in February this year. Via its daily service between Tokyo and Frankfurt, JAL is now able to offer customers even more options for their travel to Europe using codeshare flights between the German city and Vienna with NIKI, Berlin with airberlin, Helsinki with Finnair and Madrid with Iberia.

JAL will continue strengthening its alliance and bilateral relationships with quality partner airlines, to provide customers with greater choice and convenience.

 

26.06.12 | Dr. Gunter Küchler reappointed as member of Lufthansa Systems Executive Board

Lufthansa System AG today announced that the company’s Supervisory Board has renewed the appointment of Executive Board member Dr. Gunter Küchler (56) until 2016. Dr. Küchler has been a Member of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Systems since October 2002. He is responsible for the Airline Solutions business as well as the central Infrastructure division.

After studying physics and earning his doctoral degree in 1986, he started his professional career at EDS, where he was appointed to the company’s executive management in 1995. Dr. Küchler joined Lufthansa Systems in September 2000 as Managing Director of Lufthansa Systems Infratec GmbH, a subsidiary which operates systems in its data center, manages high-performance networks and carries out outsourcing projects for customers. As a member of the Gerhard Herzberg Gesellschaft and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research, Dr. Küchler promotes cooperation between research and industry.

Lufthansa Systems provides consulting and IT services for selected industries and has a leading position in the global aviation industry. The company is divided into the market-oriented profit centers Airline Solutions, for the development and marketing of innovative IT systems for airlines, Industry Solutions, for industry customers in the German-speaking market and Lufthansa Group Airline Solutions, for managing and supporting the company’s largest customer. In addition, the Infrastructure division provides IT services including networks and data center operations.

 

26.06.12 | IFE Services to design user interface for Thomson Airways’ new Dreamliner in-flight entertainment system

IFE Services announced today that it has been selected by Thomson Airways to develop the in-flight entertainment user interface for the airline’s new fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Due to start long-haul flying on 1st May 2013, the fleet of 8 Dreamliners will have the latest audio visual on-demand (AVOD) in-flight entertainment system installed. IFE Services, one of the world’s leading in-flight entertainment providers, is designing the user interface that will allow passengers to easily select content including movies, TV shows, music albums, games and destination films from the comfort of their seats.

IFE Services already currently meets of all of Thomson Airways’ in-flight entertainment needs for the airline’s fleet.

“We’ve loved working on such a prestigious design project for our client, Thomson Airways,” said Andy McEwan, CEO of IFE Services. “We’re confident the final result will be second to none in enabling passengers to easily navigate and enjoy the rich entertainment content available to them during their journey.”

For more information about Thomson Airways visit: http://flights.thomson.co.uk

For more information about IFE Services visit: www.ifeservices.com

 

26.06.12 | JAL Group Promotes [Sky Eco] for a Greener Tomorrow

Japan Airlines (JAL), a recognized Eco-First company by the Ministry of Environment of Japan, today reiterated its commitment to the conservation of the environment with the announcement of its latest environmental guidelines and action plan.

JAL recognizes that companies in the air transportation industry play an integral role in social infrastructure, and must also take responsibility for the effects of their business on the environment. As a company in this industry, JAL regards environmental conservation as a vital issue to be addressed by management and has drawn up the following “Sky Eco” action plan.

1. JAL will proactively make approaches to prevent global warming.

JAL will reduce CO2 emissions per revenue-ton-kilometer (RTK) from JAL Group aircraft by 23% in 2020, compared with the level in 2005.
We will renew our fleet with fuel-efficient, low noise level aircraft, such as the Boeing 787, 737-800, and Embraer170, promote Eco-Flight activities, reduce aircraft weight, wash aircraft engines, and other such measures.
We will cooperate with related governments, ministries, agencies and authorities, such as air traffic controllers of each country, to proactively introduce fuel-efficient, ecological, and advanced flight operational methods.
We will cooperate in the research and development of the practical use of biofuels made from nonedible plants.
We will cooperate in the research and development of future aircraft and operational methods that minimize impacts on the environment.
JAL will conduct energy saving activities at ground facilities, such as offices and shops.

2. JAL will proactively conduct environment-related social and educational activities.

Through continuous green social activities, we will strive to contribute to long-term environmental conservation, and raise environmental awareness of staff, society and children, who will take on the responsibilities of the next generation to protect the global environment.
We will continue to participate in the Tropospheric Observation Project and cooperate in the research on global warming by installing special air-sampling equipment on our aircraft to collect data and monitor the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere.
We will continue to cooperate in the Forest Fire Reporting Project.
We will continue our ‘Soraiku’ environmental education program for children.
We will conduct eco-activities with customers.
We will proactively conduct eco-activities involving staff and environmental education activities for staff and their families.
3. We will strive to create a recycling society and promote environmental conservation.

We will strive to reduce industrial waste from domestic offices by 2% or less.
We will strive to reduce the amount of water used, to conserve water
We will strive to reduce the use and emission of chemicals regulated by the PRTR* Law.
*PRTR: Pollutant Release and Transfer Register
We will recycle inflight magazines, newspapers, aluminum cans, PET bottles, cargo packaging materials, and other waste products from the aircraft, as well as staff uniforms.

4. We will strive to conserve the environment in the vicinity of airports.

We will proactively introduce low noise level aircraft and operational methods that reduce noise pollution.
We will proactively deal with noise pollution at each airport.
We will strive to reduce nitrogen oxide and other gaseous emissions from aircraft and other vehicles.

5. We will care for bio-diversity.

We will convey the importance of bio-diversity to customers and society at large.
We will conduct business activities in accordance to the Bio-Diversity Policy of the JAL Group.
We will extend cooperation to the UN Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020 initiative, and commit to protecting the nature of Japan, such as the Japanese red-crowned crane, and carry out activities to convey the importance of nature.

JAL will continue striving to achieve the environmental goals set out in the “Sky Eco” action plan above, and contribute to protecting the Earth, and leaving a healthy, beautiful planet for future generations to come.

 

25.06.12 | JAL Switches On Internet Connection Service [JAL SKY Wi-Fi]

Japan Airlines (JAL) will begin offering JAL SKY Wi-Fi this summer. The high-speed, wireless Internet service will gradually be introduced onboard JAL’s international flights as the airline progressively equips aircraft across its international fleet with the broadband Ku connectivity solution eXConnect by Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic).

With JAL SKY Wi-Fi, customers in every cabin class will be able to send and receive emails, update and navigate their social media networks and browse the World Wide Web utilizing their personal electronic devices such as laptops and other Wi-Fi enabled gadgets. As an alternative in-flight entertainment option, or for getting some work done, customers can now enjoy the convenience of an onboard Wi-Fi environment that is comparable to ground-level broadband Internet access in terms of connection and data-transfer speed.

Applicable Routes

Starting with the installation on a 777-300ER, JAL SKY Wi-Fi will first become available on flights between Tokyo (Narita) and New York (John F. Kennedy) on alternate days from July 15, 2012, and daily from early August. Soon after, JAL expects to deliver its latest service on flights to and from Chicago, Los Angeles and Jakarta by the end of October this year, and London, Paris and Frankfurt by next spring*.

* The service introduction schedule is subject to change.
* The availability of JAL SKY Wi-Fi depends on the aircraft and in the event of aircraft changes, the service may not be available. For the latest updates, please visit www.jal.co.jp/skywifi/ after 6pm the day before departure.

 

25.06.12 | Gogo Closes $135 Million Credit Facility

Gogo, a leader of in-flight connectivity and a pioneer in wireless in-flight digital entertainment solutions, announced today that it has closed a $135 million credit facility through Morgan Stanley and J.P Morgan. Gogo intends to use the debt financing to fund costs associated with its international expansion plans as well as other general corporate purposes.

“Securing this latest round of financing is an important step in funding our international operations and helps strengthen our overall financial position,” said Michael Small, Gogo’s president and CEO. “We recently announced a partnership deal with equipment provider AeroSat and memorandums of understanding to partner with satellite companies SES and Inmarsat that will allow us to offer commercial airlines Ku and Ka-band satellite solutions globally in the near future. Securing this credit facility will help fund those operations.”

Gogo recently announced a partnership with equipment provider AeroSat to deliver the satellite antenna, radome, antenna control and modem unit and high power transceiver. In addition to an equipment partnership with AeroSat, Gogo recently announced it has entered into a memorandum of understanding to partner with satellite operator SES that will allow Gogo to connect passengers over the U.S., Atlantic Ocean and Europe with a Ku-band system on commercial aircraft as early as the fourth quarter of 2012.

Gogo also recently announced that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding to be one of two global service providers of Inmarsat’s Global Xpress™ Ka-satellite service. Working with Inmarsat, Gogo expects to begin testing of the Global Xpress Ka-aeronautical services after the launch of the first of the three Inmarsat-5 satellites, which is scheduled for mid-2013. Gogo expects to offer Global Xpress Ka-satellite service after the launch of all three I-5 satellites starting in late 2014 or early 2015.

“When finalized, these partnerships will allow Gogo to offer our airline partners a wide range of technology solutions,” added Small. “Whether it’s by using our exclusive air to ground and ATG-4 technologies, Ku-satellite or, in the near future, Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-satellite technologies; we believe we will be uniquely positioned to offer airlines a range of global connectivity service options.”

 

22.06.12 | ANA to Provide OnAir Inflight Wi-Fi on its International Routes

ANA today announces that from summer 2013, Wi-Fi will be available on its international routes. The service will initially be made available on ANA B777-300ER and B767-300ER fleets serving ANA’s international network. The OnAir Wi-Fi service, ‘Internet OnAir’, will work in the same way as a Wi-Fi hotspot on the ground.

Tetsuo FUKUDA, Senior Vice President of CS & Products Services and Innovations, ANA commented on the launch: “ANA is delighted to announce the launch of OnAir Wi-Fi on its international routes. The service will offer passengers a new inflight experience, giving them the flexibility and choice they deserve. We look forward to working with OnAir on this project. OnAir has a wealth of experience in handling large scale fleet programs and delivering end-to-end connectivity solutions for multiple aircraft types.”

Ian Dawkins, CEO of OnAir commented: “ANA is a world-class airline, recognized for the high quality of its service. ANA’s decision to choose OnAir’s SBB-based Wi-Fi product demonstrates that the combination of OnAir and SBB is the best solution for passenger connectivity and cements OnAir’s position as the benchmark for global inflight connectivity solutions.”

Internet OnAir provides consistent global coverage, with a combination of over 80 regulatory authorizations, as well as its use of Inmarsat’s I4 SBB network.

 

22.06.12 | LAN and TAM complete their transaction and create LATAM Airlines Group

LAN Airlines S.A. (which has been renamed LATAM Airlines Group S.A.) and TAM S.A. report that they have successfully completed the exchange offer and mergers through which they have combined their businesses and created the LATAM Airlines Group S.A. LATAM Airlines Group S.A. will offer passengers more flights to more destinations than any other affiliated group of airlines in South America, initially reaching about 150 destinations in 22 countries and transporting cargo to 169 destinations in 27 countries.

As previously announced, the transaction was carried out through an exchange offer in which TAM’s shareholders could elect to exchange their TAM shares for LAN shares at a ratio of 0.9 LAN shares for each TAM share. The offered LAN shares will be delivered in the form of BDRs (Brazilian Depositary Receipts) in Brazil and ADRs (American Depositary Receipts) in the United States. The exchange offer, which was materialized with the auction on June 22, 2012, was subject to the condition that more than 2/3 of the TAM shares that participate in the offer agree with the deregistration of TAM as a public company in Brazil. This delisting condition was satisfied when 99.9% of the participant shares agreed with TAM’s deregistration. The tendered shares together with the TAM shares committed by the TAM Controlling Shareholders represented 95.9% of the total outstanding shares of TAM.

“The creation of this group of airlines is an opportunity to take South America to the world and to allow us to position ourselves to operate in an increasingly competitive environment due to the continuing consolidation of the global airline industry,” said Enrique Cueto, Executive Vice President-CEO of LATAM Airlines Group.

“The growth LATAM Airlines Group is expected to generate will allow us to offer flights to new destinations for our customers, create more opportunities for our more than 51,000 employees and greater value for shareholders. In addition, we can support the economic, social and cultural development of our region, improving the connectivity of passengers and cargo in South America and the rest of the world,” said Mauricio Rolim Amaro, Vice Chairman of TAM S.A.

Benefits for Passengers

Among the benefits that passengers of both LAN and TAM will be able to access over time are increased connectivity, improved routes and frequencies and reduced connection times. Additionally, starting June 27, 2012 the members of frequent flyer programs LANPASS and TAM Fidelidade may earn and redeem kilometers/points over the complete flight networks of LAN and TAM. In addition, members of the senior frequent flyer levels of both airlines (Comodoro / Black and Premium Silver / Red) may add to their existing benefits preferential access to services for themselves and a companion, including access to VIP lounges of both airlines, preferential check-in and boarding and priority baggage.

LATAM Airlines Group will continue to advance the integration of their operations in order to deliver the best service to customers.

Structure

As for the corporate structure, Mauricio Rolim Amaro, currently Vice Chairman of TAM, will become Chairman of LATAM Airlines Group S.A. Maria Claudia Amaro will remain as chairwoman of the Board of TAM S.A. and will also become a member of the Board of Directors of LATAM Airlines Group S.A. Enrique Cueto, currently Executive Vice President-CEO of LAN Airlines S.A., will become Executive Vice President-CEO of LATAM Airlines Group S.A. Ignacio Cueto, currently President and Chief Operating Officer of LAN Airlines S.A., will become CEO of LAN Airlines. Finally, Marco Antonio Bologna will remain as CEO of TAM S.A. and TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A.

Enrique Cueto announced that each airline in the LATAM Airlines Group will maintain its present headquarters: LAN in Santiago and TAM in Sao Paulo. Cueto also announced that both LAN and TAM will continue to operate under their existing brands in the same way as they have done until now, with excellence in safety, service and quality as always: “This is the beginning of a long journey and the benefits to our customers will be added gradually as the integration of our companies’ progresses.”

LAN and TAM not only share a common vision of business but also a passion for delivering excellent service to their passengers and cargo customers and are committed to safety, reliability and high quality service. The combination was first announced in August 2010. In January 2011, the two companies announced that they entered into binding agreements and thereafter referred the transaction to the approval of various authorities and agencies, including the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC), the TDLC (Tribunal de Defensa de la Libre Competencia, Chile’s antitrust authority), and the CADE, Brazil’s antitrust authority.

Cargo Business

LAN CARGO and its affiliates – ABSA in Brazil, MAS AIR in Mexico and Línea Aérea Carguera in Colombia – are the largest group of air cargo operators in Latin America. By adding the leadership of TAM CARGO in the Brazilian domestic market, LATAM Airlines Group will provide the leading cargo network in this region, offering its services to 169 destinations in 27 countries around the world.

As a result, LATAM Airlines Group will generate significant benefits for cargo customers, including access to the broadest network of routes in Latin America with connections to all major destinations in the world; modern infrastructure; larger capacity by combining the cargo availability of both companies on both passenger and freighter aircraft; and an extensive range of products and services both domestically and internationally. In addition, the combination will create access to efficient systems and technological tools that deliver visibility of shipments through e-tracking, and soon e-booking, and the integrated know-how of teams with vast industry experience who know both customer needs and how to respond to them.

Synergies from the Integration

Both companies project pre-tax synergies of approximately US$170 million to US$200 million for the first 12 months after combination, gradually increasing to annual pre-tax synergies of between US$600 million and US$700 million, beginning four years after the completion of the combination. LATAM Airlines Group S.A. also estimates one-time costs associated with the closing of the transaction and the realization of synergies of approximately US$170 million to US$200 million, most of which are expected to be incurred in the first 12 months after the completion of the combination. Approximately 60% of the total estimated potential synergies will derive from revenue increases in the passenger and cargo businesses and, therefore, the cost savings are expected to generate the remaining 40%.

 

22.06.12 | 2012 JAL Scholarship Program for Asia & Oceania Students

The JAL Foundation – a cultural arm of Japan Airlines, will hold the 43rd JAL Scholarship Program in Japan for 19 university undergraduates from ten countries and regions across Asia from June 27 to July 17, 2011.

The 21-day program includes a wide variety of activities such as lectures in Tokyo, the Asia Forum in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, and a field trip to Iwate in North East Japan that is jointly organized with East Japan Railway Culture Foundation. The Scholarship students will have opportunity to interact with their Japanese peers and together discuss and present their ideas around the year’s theme of “Proposals from the Youth to Bring Back a Vibrant Japan”.

Through a home-stay segment in the program which will be hosted by families of past and present JAL Group employees, the overseas students will also have the chance to enhance their understanding of the Japanese culture.

The JAL Scholarship Program has hosted a total of 1,452 students since it began in 1975, launched by then-President of Japan Airlines, Shizuo Asada, as an introduction to Japan for university students from Asia & Oceania, and with the objective of encouraging youths from the regions to develop better international relations. Since 1990 the JAL Foundation has organized the annual event, which has evolved in scope and content over the years. Numerous graduates from the program have gone on to become key members of society, playing important roles in their countries. Through the program, JAL seeks to continue fostering such positive international relationships.

For information about JAL’s main social programs, please visit http://www.jal.com/en/society/

 

22.06.12 | Categories & Sponsors announced for 2012 AR.Awards

Today, the Airline Retail Conference (ARC), the most focused networking platform for airline buyers and suppliers, has announced the categories and sponsors for the second annual Airline Retail Awards (AR.Awards). They follow on from the success of the inaugural AR.Awards which took place in last June, once again in association with the Airline Retail Conference (ARC2012) in London.

There will be nine categories for awards. The first five are to be voted on by ARC delegates in advance of the conference and the last four are to be balloted exclusively by show attendees on Tuesday 10th June.

The five online voting categories are:

• Best Airline for Inflight Retail - sponsored by SCORPIO DISTRIBUTORS
• Best Airline for Inflight Food & Beverage - sponsored by RETAIL INMOTION
• Best Inflight Concessionaire - sponsored by FERVOR
• Best Inflight Agent or Distributor - sponsored by ROTARY
• Airline Retail Personality of the Year - sponsored by WHITEHOUSE TRAVEL RETAIL

ARC2012 Exhibition – onsite balloted awards:

• Best Inflight Product – Retail - sponsored by BRAUN GMBH
• Best Inflight Product – Food - sponsored by PATRÓN SPIRITS INTERNATIONAL
• Best Inflight Product – Beverage - sponsored by HJ HEINZ CO LTD
• Best NEW Inflight Product - sponsored by K2 GLOBAL

“For us, the awards are one of the highlights of the show”, said Alex Vail, Airline Retail Conference Director. “They offer a chance to celebrate innovation and best-practice in the sector, which is an important aspect of the event.”

Only ARC delegates are eligible to vote for the awards – all delegates are automatically sent details to access to the online voting form. To register, or for more information, please go to www.airlineretail.com/current-event, or contact Shelly.Guerrero@airlineretail.com.

Online voting for the open awards closes at midnight (GMT) on 5th July 2012. Nominees will be announced shortly afterwards and winners will be announced at the ARC Gala Dinner at the Hilton London Metropole on Tuesday 10th July 2012. Rules and details of previous winners can be found online at http://www.airlineretail.com/awards.

 

21.06.12 | IFP Extends Its Content Service Agreement with KLM

IFP, the market-leading inflight service provider specialised in providing solutions to engage passengers through tailored content, applications and services has signed a multi-year agreement to supply a complete range of inflight solutions to KLM.

IFP will continue to provide KLM with a complete service of engaging and cutting-edge IFE content, applications and promotions. These include movies, TV programming, audio, AVOD, advertising, games, meal menus, and just recently, the world’s first Movies & More app allowing passengers to view IFE content listings on their mobile devices. IFP’s evolution into the passenger engagement solutions provider will enable KLM to remain as a technology and passenger leader in the inflight market.

Audrey Zielinski, Manager of Inflight Entertainment at KLM, commented: “We are very happy with IFP’s continued support of KLM’s creative approach to inflight entertainment as we provide ever-more engaging content to our passengers.”

Roger Grange, Vice President of Content Acquisition and Licensing at IFP, added “We are delighted that KLM has renewed its trust in us as we evolve the inflight entertainment market. Our long-established relationship with the airline reaffirms IFP’s commitment to developing exceptional creative solutions to engage passengers in a new experience.”

 

21.06.12 | Air Onix to fly with navigation charts from Lufthansa Systems

Lufthansa Systems today announced that the Ukrainian start-up carrier Air Onix, which began flight operations at the end of April 2012, has been using navigation charts from Lufthansa Systems right from the start. The two companies have signed a five-year agreement for Lido/RouteManual and the electronic version for tablet PCs, Lido/iRouteManual. The airlines’ pilots using the navigation charts benefit from the charts’ clear structure and easy legibility and from the advantages offered by paperless navigation.

“Top-quality, user-friendly navigation charts are especially important to a young airline like Air Onix, which is why we have opted for Lido/RouteManual from Lufthansa Systems,” said Mr. Igor Mielnik, General Director of Air Onix. “Their clear structure and layout enable our pilots to see all relevant information at a glance. Lido/iRouteManual perfectly complements the paper-based navigation charts, so that we can easily migrate from paper charts to electronic charts on our tablet computers.”

The Lufthansa Systems navigation charts are generated directly from the company’s Lido navigation database, which is a central source for worldwide aeronautical and topographical data. The charts display true-to-scale geographic information such as terrain features and rivers. They also include airport taxiway charts, approach and take-off charts, and a seamless worldwide route chart. Lufthansa Systems offers Lido/iRouteManual as an enhancement to Lido/RouteManual. The tablet charts are structured exactly like the paper charts but offer pilots additional options.

“We are very pleased that we were able to convince a new airline like Air Onix with one of our high-quality products. Our portfolio offers a wide range of IT solutions that cover all of an airline’s business processes, something which is particularly important to start-up carriers. We look forward to a successful partnership with Air Onix,” said Marco Cesa, SVP Regional Management Europe at Lufthansa Systems.

The IT company was recently recognized as an official provider of aeronautical products by the Ukrainian aviation authorities. With its fleet of three Boeing 737 aircraft, Air Onix connects Simferopol, the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, with large regional centers in Ukraine and neighboring countries.

 

20.06.12 | IFE Services launches airline safety film competition

IFE Services, one of the world’s leading in-flight entertainment (IFE) providers, is running a competition amongst airlines to win a safety film produced by its award-winning in-house production team.

Over the years, IFE Services has produced in excess of 50 tailored safety films for airlines of all sizes globally to help them convey vital safety information to passengers.

To enter the competition, airlines must answer three simple questions by Tuesday, 31st July 2012. Full details of the competition are available here on the company’s website.

“We have the strongest original production team in the IFE industry and can’t wait to begin work with the winning airline to create a great-looking, quality safety film for them,” said Andy McEwan, CEO of IFE Services. “We encourage all airlines to enter before the deadline to be in with a chance of winning this fantastic competition which is a first of its kind in the industry.”

For more information about IFE Services visit: www.ifeservices.com

 

20.06.12 | New Sales Director Ben Fuller Brings a Variety of Skills and Experiences to digEcor

With a background in game design, product development and sales, Ben Fuller has joined the digEcor team as the new Director of Sales for Central and South America. Fuller will also be involved in global business, product and marketing development.

Fuller, who has spent seven years developing products in the entertainment and technology industries, commented, “I think digEcor creates a magical marriage of the two industries. I always loved watching someone having a great time playing a slot machine that I had designed and I believe I will have that same experience at digEcor. I love the challenge that ever-changing technology brings to the table and developing that technology in non-traditional spaces such as in-flight.”

Fuller spent two years in Mexico City when his employer, International Game Technology, ventured into Mexico for the first time. He was responsible for directing operations, product management and sales.

When asked about what he expects to change at digEcor, Fuller responded, “I believe that we can be more aggressive in the marketplace and pursue more partnerships as well as differentiate ourselves from the competition with unparalleled service and offerings that our competitors simply won’t have. It won’t be an overnight change, but I firmly believe that we will look back in a year or two and be amazed at the change we’ve created.”

Specifically, Fuller hopes to, “continue establishing digEcor as a market leader in IFE and use my international experience to establish new partnerships and reach new market segments, placing digEcor at the top of the industry for years to come.”

On a personal note, Fuller added that to be one of his favorite movies, the film better, “make me laugh, blow something up and make me want to memorize some classic, uncanny lines to repeat in front of my friends at just the right moments.”

Ben Fuller can be contacted at bfuller@digEcor.com or 1-801-489-2031.

 

20.06.12 | TE Connectivity’s Amplimite Ultra-Lite D-Subminiature connectors deliver critical weight savings

TE Connectivity‘s AMPLIMITE Ultra-Lite D-Subminiature connector is 15-20 percent lighter than its brass counterparts, delivering a critical weight-saving solution for space applications, including satellites and launch vehicles.

“TE’s AMPLIMITE Ultra-Lite connectors are excellent when saving weight is critical,” said Alana Martin, Product Manager, TE Global Aerospace, Defense & Marine. “Designed to meet NASA 311P requirements for space, the connector’s one-piece aluminum shell design not only offers significant advantages in weight, but improved EMI performance compared to standard brass connectors.”

AMPLIMITE Ultra-Lite connectors deliver a 10-20 dB improvement in EMI performance and meet the requirements for M24308. The non-magnetic connector features a one-piece lighter weight aluminum shell. The connector is intermateable with other D-Subminiature connectors, comes in shell sizes 1-6 and is offered in both standard- and high-density configurations.

The connector has a temperature range of -55°C to 125 C°, and is available in vertical and right-angle PCB mount versions. Crimp snap contacts speed wire termination and the connectors incorporate additional features for ease of assembly. Combination connectors with both power and signal contacts are also available, as is a rear grommet for strain relief.

For more information on TE’s AMPLIMITE Ultra-Lite D-Subminiature connectors, contact the Product Information Center at (800) 522-6752 or visit www.te.com/catalog/menu/en/17834?BML=10576,26435.

AMPLIMITE, TE Connectivity and the TE connectivity (logo) are trademarks of the TE Connectivity Ltd. family of companies.

 

19.06.12 | China Travel Retail announce the Hurun Report as official media partner in China for inaugural event in Shanghai from the 24th – 25th July 2012

Today, China Travel Retail (CTR), the most focused networking event for travel retail brands, concessionaires and retailers targeting Chinese travellers, has announced that the Hurun Report, the leading luxury publishing and events group (comprising magazines and an active events team targeted at China’s high net worth individuals), will be the official media partner in China for the inaugural event taking place in Shanghai later this year.

Each delegate at the event will receive a copy of the latest edition of the Hurun Report in their delegate pack and Sinclair Lu, President and Group Publisher of the Hurun Report will be joining a panel discussion focused on the developing China market.

“We are delighted to be the official media partner in China for the first China Travel Retail event and hope this is just the start of a successful relationship moving forward”, said Rupert Hoogewerf, Founder and Chief Researcher of the Hurun Report. “The Chinese market has seen phenomenal growth in the last five years and this has led to a huge demand for luxury branded goods. Much of this demand has been driven by the increased numbers of Chinese travellers, and it is this market, being addressed by CTR, that is of massive importance not just to us, but the luxury market as a whole”.

The China Travel Retail event and exhibition, taking place at the prestigious Marriott City Centre in Shanghai on 24th and 25th July, will showcase best practices both inside China, at Chinese airports, airlines and at sea, as well as looking at how companies are successfully selling to Chinese consumers travelling overseas. The two-day schedule for this event will include a mix of keynote speeches and master classes that will cover topics including:

• China’s Influence on the Rest of the Travel Retail Market
• How to Create Strong Local Partnerships
• The Luxury Goods Market: Chinese Perspectives
• The Changing Travel Retail Landscape for Chinese Travellers

“The Hurun Report has become synonymous with the Chinese luxury retail market and we are delighted to announce that they will be our official media partner in China for CTR”, said Jeffrey O’Rourke, Chief Executive of Ink. “This is yet another major endorsement for our inaugural event that has already seen a huge demand from both delegates and exhibitors. It is clear that there is real interest in an event that addresses the China Travel Retail market and Hurun Report’s involvement as a media partner and speaker should only increase its appeal”.

For further details about the event, the speakers and the two-day seminar schedule, please go to www.chinatravelretail.com, or contact the CTR team at info@chinatravelretail.com.

 

19.06.12 | Miranda Mills appointed VP Aerospace for Global Xpress™

Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has appointed Miranda Mills as VP Aerospace for Global Xpress™.

Based in Nyon, Switzerland, Mills will join the expanding Global Xpressteam for Inmarsat’s next generation Global Xpress programme, a service that will offer seamless global coverage and deliver unprecedented mobile broadband speeds of up to 50MB/s for users in the government, maritime, enterprise, energy and aeronautical sectors.

As VP for Aerospace, Mills will be responsible for developing all Global Xpress aeronautical services worldwide, building on Inmarsat’s long presence in satellite-based aviation safety and operations communications with the proven Swift64 and SwiftBroadband services. Leading the Global Xpress aviation team, she will help exploit the business opportunities created by the unrivalled increase in airborne bandwidth that Global Xpress will deliver. She will oversee all aspects of the aerospace opportunity, including product and service delivery, partner selection and relations, and commercial issues.

In her previous position with Astrium, she had the dual role of Global Sales & Marketing Director and UK National Director for the Earth Observation, Navigation & Science (ENS) Satellites Division. Prior to this she spent 14 years with Airbus in various roles, including responsibility for Services Strategy & Business Development Head of the A320 Family Programme in the UK, and most recently VP Sales for South Asia. She holds an Aeronautical Engineering Degree and MBA.

Leo Mondale, Managing Director of the Global Xpress programme, comments:

“Miranda brings a wealth of experience, energy, and intelligence to Global Xpress. She has a unique understanding of the interplay between airlines, the aircraft and equipment supply ecosystem, and the regulatory and competitive environments that are essential for helping aircraft operators deliver the next generation of in-flight connectivity.”

He adds: “Her strong technical background in aircraft and satellites will facilitate the introduction of our unique, high bandwidth aviation services into the complex technological and regulatory aerospace environment.

 

19.06.12 | A global data network for Lufthansa Passenger Airlines

Lufthansa Systems today announced that Lufthansa Passenger Airlines has renewed its contract for the operation of its global wide area network (WAN) for another five years. The WAN links around 500 Lufthansa offices in cities and airports in over 100 countries around the world. Lufthansa Systems operates the WAN with its SkyConnect solution, which is tailored to the high availability and security requirements of the airline industry.

SkyConnect from Lufthansa Systems ensures that airlines have access to networks optimized for their business processes. Among other things, the network is designed for a company’s maximum necessary capacity in order to cover peaks in demand. SkyConnect is based on a multi-provider and multi-technology approach which combines capacities from different telecommunications providers to form a virtual network (best-of-breed approach). By taking advantage of the individual providers’ local strengths, Lufthansa Systems can offer its customers a flexible, high-availability data network. The various sites are equipped with powerful and secure links to the enterprise network and major reservation systems. Furthermore, as a global IT provider, Lufthansa Systems is able to negotiate very favorable conditions with regional providers. Airlines can thus reduce their costs significantly with SkyConnect.

“This combination of technical stability and provider neutrality ensures a high level of operational reliability for our network. At the same time, we achieve significant cost savings while improving performance considerably,” said Dr. Christoph Klingenberg, Chief Information Officer at Lufthansa Passenger Airlines.

The WAN will soon include features like dedicated firewall and IPS systems to meet the growing security requirements of Lufthansa Passenger Airlines. The network is operated in the Lufthansa Systems data centers in Kelsterbach, Dallas and Singapore, ensuring optimal data routing and shorter response times. This results in improved performance for users.

“We look forward to continuing our trusting partnership with Lufthansa Passenger Airlines,” said Claus Rohde, Senior Vice President Key Account Management Lufthansa Passenger Airlines at Lufthansa Systems. “This project clearly demonstrates the advantages that can be achieved through close cooperation between a customer and an IT service provider. Lufthansa Passenger Airlines will be using a communications infrastructure that is tailored precisely to the company’s needs, operates cost-efficiently and forms the ideal basis for future development.”

 

18.06.12 | Gogo Partners with SES to Offer Broadband Aboard Commercial Airlines

Gogo, a leader in in-flight connectivity, and global satellite operator SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) today announced they have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with the goal of bringing high-speed, satellite-delivered Internet access to passengers aboard commercial airliners.

Gogo, a pioneer in wireless in-flight digital entertainment solutions, plans to utilize high-throughput Ku-band capacity on current and future SES multi-beam satellites serving the continental United States, the Atlantic Ocean Region and Europe. SES operates a worldwide fleet of 50 geostationary satellites.

“By partnering with SES, Gogo aims to provide the reliable and seamless satellite coverage our current and prospective airline partners must have to meet airline passengers’ demands for high-quality, high-speed Internet access on the fly,” said Gogo president and CEO Michael Small. “With the addition of a trusted satellite operator and Ku-band connectivity solution, Gogo is well positioned to provide a broad range of airlines and aircraft with a variety of technology solutions. Whether it’s Gogo’s exclusive air to ground and ATG-4 technologies, SES’s Ku-band satellites or, Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-band satellite technologies, we plan to offer a full range of connectivity solutions for any aircraft mission.”

“Like Gogo, SES is dedicated to connectivity without boundaries. This groundbreaking alliance between SES and Gogo represents an exciting milestone for commercial airlines and their passengers, who expect the same high-speed Internet access they’re accustomed to on land during their flights,” explained Ferdinand Kayser, Chief Commercial Officer for SES. “SES is looking forward to bringing the best satellites and expertise in the business to what promises to be an important advancement in regional and global airline travel.”

Gogo expects to use this technology to offer airlines connectivity services on international fleets flying transatlantic routes, as well as regional fleets flying within Europe and the United States. Gogo is actively working with SES and other operators to expand that coverage globally.

Gogo also recently announced that it will partner with AeroSat to deliver the satellite antenna, radome, antenna control and modem unit and high power transceiver to Gogo. The AeroSat equipment will be coupled with Gogo’s onboard hardware and software (server and access points) to deliver a complete solution to the airlines. The components have already been developed and are currently going through the airworthiness qualification and certification process. Gogo expects to be able to install the Ku-band systems on commercial aircraft as early as the fourth quarter of 2012.

About Gogo
Gogo is fast becoming everyone’s favorite part of flying. By allowing travelers to get online, in air, Gogo keeps them connected to life. Using the Gogo exclusive network and services, passengers with laptops and other Wi-Fi enabled devices can get online on more than 1,500 commercial aircraft including all domestic AirTran Airways and Virgin America flights, all domestic mainline Delta Air Lines flights and select Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and US Airways flights.
Back on the ground, Gogo’s 400+ employees in Itasca, IL, Broomfield, CO and London are continually redefining flying as a productive, socially connected, and all-around more satisfying experience. Connect with us at www.gogoair.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gogo and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gogo.

About SES
SES is a world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of 50 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and Internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide. SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the broadcasting industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements. SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) holds participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico, as well as a strategic participation in satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks. Further information under: www.ses.com.

 

18.06.12 | Air Nigeria is first African carrier to offer the iPad 3 after IFE Services tie-up

IFE Services announced today that it has been selected by Air Nigeria as its in-flight entertainment (IFE) provider.

The agreement covers the provision of entertainment content across the airline’s fleet of A330s. Passengers in business class will be offered a complimentary iPad 3 on which to enjoy Nigerian, classic and latest release Hollywood movies as well as a broad selection of comedy, lifestyle, drama and kids TV shows. Air Nigeria is the first African carrier to offer the iPad 3 to passengers as an in-flight entertainment solution.

In economy class, passengers can enjoy latest release Hollywood movies and a selection of TV shows on the airplanes’ digital mainscreen systems. IFE Services is also producing a new animated safety film for the airline.

“It’s been a pleasure working with Air Nigeria on its fresh new IFE offering,” said Andy McEwan, CEO of IFE Services. “The iPad is a great portable solution that we know passengers will love to use whilst airborne. We look forward to a long and productive relationship with this innovative, growing airline to help provide them with the best possible passenger experience.”

“We are pleased to offer our passengers this unique product to ensure they are relaxed and enjoy first class entertainment on our flights, using state-of-the-art technology,” said Kinfe Kahssaye, CEO of Air Nigeria. “We have always been at the forefront of introducing innovative products for the comfort of our passengers and the content provided by IFE Services for the iPads is such that it will add style to our customers’ travel pattern.”

For more information about Air Nigeria visit: www.myairnigeria.com

For more information about IFE Services visit: www.ifeservices.com

 

13.06.12 | Alaska Airlines Ranks Highest in Traditional Network Carrier Satisfaction Rankings For Fifth Straight Year In J.D. Power And Associates Study

Alaska Airlines ranked highest in airline customer satisfaction among traditional network carriers for the fifth consecutive year by J.D. Power and Associates in its 2012 North America Airline Satisfaction Study(SM). The airline also ranked highest J.D. Power and Associates’ annual segment rankings in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

“We’re humbled to receive high honors from our customers five consecutive years in a row,” said Alaska Air Group President and CEO Brad Tilden. “This honor would not be possible without the hard work of our dedicated employees whose commitment to safety, customer service and cutting-edge innovation has made travel on Alaska Airlines among the best in the industry.”

Alaska Airlines ranked highest in four of the seven measures ranked by travelers, including check-in; reservation; flight crew; and boarding/deplaning/baggage. Alaska is the only U.S. carrier to offer a baggage service guarantee, which provides customers with a $20 discount coupon on a future Alaska Airlines flight or 2,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan frequent flier miles if their luggage is not at the carousel within 20 minutes after their flight arrives at the gate. Learn more about the guarantee online at http://bit.ly/ncl8k.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2012 North America Airlines Satisfaction Study(SM) is based on responses from more than 13,500 passengers who flew on a major North America carrier between July 2011 and April 2012. The study measures overall customer satisfaction based on performance in seven measures (in order of importance): cost and fees; flight crew; in-flight services; aircraft; boarding/deplaning/baggage; check-in; and reservation. Traditional network carriers are defined as airlines that operate multi-cabin aircraft and use multiple airport hubs.

Read the official J.D. Power release at www.jdpower.com.

 

13.06.12 | JetBlue Airways Awarded Eighth Consecutive Customer Satisfaction J.D. Power and Associates Honor

New York-based JetBlue Airways today was awarded highest honors in airline customer satisfaction among low-cost carriers by J.D. Power and Associates 2012 North America Airline Satisfaction Study(SM), an estimable recognition the carrier has earned every year from 2006 to 2011. The value airline also ranked highest in customer satisfaction among all U.S. major airlines in 2005, when low-cost and traditional network carriers were combined in a single category, making this year’s achievement its eighth consecutive J.D. Power and Associates award.

“We are honored and humbled to be ranked highest among low cost carriers by the traveling public, and to receive this highly-respected and sought-after industry accolade for the eighth consecutive year,” said Dave Barger, president and CEO of JetBlue Airways. “It’s an historic day at JetBlue and one that would not be possible without the passion, dedication and commitment that each of our 14,000 crewmembers brings to their job every single day. Our culture is defined by the respect, kindness and caring demeanor that we give to each other, which in turn earns us the loyalty of thousands of happy new customers each year.”

The 2012 North America Airline Satisfaction Study(SM) measures customer satisfaction among both business and leisure passengers of major North America carriers. The study is based on responses from more than 13,700 passengers who flew on a major North America airline between May 2011 and April 2012. The study was fielded between July 2011 and April 2012. The study measures overall customer satisfaction based on performance in seven measures (in order of importance): cost and fees; in-flight services; boarding/deplaning/baggage; flight crew; aircraft; check-in; and reservation.

This year’s survey highlighted that the use of mobile devices to check in for a flight has more than doubled over the last year, and overall satisfaction with the check-in process is highest when passengers check in using a mobile device. To provide customers a simplified and personalized experience, earlier this year JetBlue revealed a refreshed look and feel to its jetblue.com and mobile.jetblue.com sites and introduced a new iPhone application. The digitally-minded airline’s new iPhone mobile application provides real time, on-the-go ease for booking, check-in, flight status, and more.

JetBlue, the ‘un-airline’ of the industry, soared above the rest in this year’s in-flight services and aircraft measures. The airline has carved out a niche among competitors that is focused on delivering un-matched value to all customers with its core product offerings, including a first checked bag free of charge (a), unlimited complimentary in-flight snacks and beverages, and a live in-flight entertainment system with 36 channels of free DIRECTV programming and more than 100 channels of free XM Satellite Radio at every comfortable leather seat (b). Customers can expect friendly service from the friendliest crewmembers in the sky while they kick back and enjoy in spacious aircraft cabins, which offer the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline (c).

 

13.06.12 | Virgin America Is Cast As The Official Domestic Airline Of The 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival

Virgin America, the only California-based airline, today announces it is Premier Sponsor and Official Domestic Airline of the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival, which includes a variety of fan and flyer promotions as well as festival branding, online and print advertising as part of the partnership. With an unrivalled entertainment platform and a vast in-flight content library of more than 25 indie, foreign language and latest release films at every seat, Virgin America has quickly become the airline of choice for film lovers across North America. As part of its title sponsorship, Virgin America will help this year’s festival goers – filmmakers, writers and actors – arrive entertained and in style into Los Angeles for what promises to be the most exciting, star-studded LA Film Fest. This year, Virgin America –- in partnership with Virgin Produced (the entertainment arm of the Virgin Group), Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia, also teamed up to create an independent short film, Departure Date, shot in 20 hours, across three continents and on three commercial flights on all three airlines while at 35,000 feet – a first for a short film. An exclusive screening of the film took place at Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 on Monday night, as part of the official kick-off of Film Independent’s 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival – hosted by the three Virgin airlines, Virgin Produced, LA Film Fest, and AEG. To view the trailer and behind-the-scenes footage from the filming in-flight, visit: www.flyvirgin.com/#film.

“Virgin America is all about bringing entertainment and fun back to the skies and we are thrilled to partner with the world-renowned Los Angeles Film Festival,” said Vice President of Marketing, Luanne Calvert. “And movie buffs flying onboard Virgin America can find everything from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to Oscar favorites to indie and foreign films on-demand on our seat-back entertainment system.”

Virgin America offers beautifully designed mood–lit cabins, standard power outlets near every seat and Red™ — the largest and most advanced personal touch–screen entertainment platform in the skies. The Red platform offers 700+ hours of entertainment content with a special focus on film and music, in keeping with the Virgin brand’s roots. The Red system offers every Virgin America guest more than 25 on-demand films, live and premium TV, as well as curated and diverse content from partners like Virgin Produced, Ted Talks, Revision3 and BoingBoing – with films produced by emerging or established documentary filmmakers are featured. Red also houses a 3,000 MP3 library (with the ability for travelers to build their own playlist), a Kids’ entertainment platform (with parental controls), videogames, music videos, interactive Google Maps that track a flight’s journey, a seat-to-seat text chat system and more.

Departure Date was written and directed by award-winning writer and director Kat Coiro (L!fe Happens, While We Were Here and A Case of You) and stars Ben Feldman (Mad Men), Nicky Whelan (Hall Pass), Philip Baker Hall, Luis Guzman, Janeane Garofalo and Max Brown. The scenes were shot in Virgin America’s First Class, Main Cabin Select and Main Cabins, Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class cabin, Economy cabin and Onboard Bar and Virgin Australia’s International Business cabin which featured the sit-down bar, Ladies-Only bathroom and exclusive Row Five. A public screening of the film and an opportunity to hear from director, Kat Coiro, and cinematographer, Doug Chamberlain, takes place on Sunday, June 17, at 12:00 p.m. Tickets to the “In the Air and On the Go: Pioneering Filmmaking” screening and chat session are available at: www.lafilmfest.com.

“We’re very pleased to continue our partnership with Virgin America for the second year,” stated Stephanie Allain, Los Angeles Film Festival Director. “Virgin America shares our passion for shining a spotlight on emerging filmmakers and we look forward to finding new and exciting ways to collaborate together for years to come.”

In May, all three award-winning Virgin airlines joined forces for the first time ever to launch a joint entertainment, digital and out-of-home advertising campaign to convey the unique Virgin in-flight experience in the Los Angeles market and mark the airlines’ global frequent flyer partnership. Known around the world for their stylish, entertainment-driven flying experiences, the three airlines unveiled the joint advertising campaign and website at www.flyvirgin.com, which highlights the Virgin airlines’ innovative approach to travel.

Returning to downtown Los Angeles and headquartered at L.A. LIVE for a third year, the Festival will run from Thursday, June 14 to Sunday, June 24. Now in its eighteenth year, the Festival is widely recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best in new American and international cinema, and is produced by Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that also produces the Spirit Awards.

Since its 2007 launch, Virgin America has gained a loyal following of business and leisure flyers and has swept the major reader-based travel awards, including “Best Domestic Airline” in both Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards. For more on Virgin America, visit: www.virginamerica.com. Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas–Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun, Chicago, Puerto Vallarta, Palm Springs, Philadelphia and Portland.

 

13.06.12 | Latest Industry Research from China Travel Retail – Chinese travellers and luxury

Chinese travellers are driving the Global luxury market; significantly, over half (54%) of Chinese consumers purchase their luxury goods whilst travelling abroad¹. In 2010 $50BN alone was spent by Chinese Travellers on luxury goods and gifts.²

Chinese Travellers’ consumer feedback from JMG Research indicates a continuing demand for this sector; 72% of Chinese travellers intend to buy watches in their future travels, with a further 69% intending to buy jewellery – over 70% higher than other nationalities.

Confirming the Chinese traveller’s desire for luxury commodities, 51% believe that Duty Free shops should only be devoted to luxury brands – 94% higher than other nationalities.

Sources: ¹Amadeus/Oxford Economics “Travel Gold Rush 2020” Report; ²Bain & Co; ³JMG Research: Consumer Behaviour in Airports;

The China Travel Retail event and exhibition, taking place at the prestigious Marriott City Centre in Shanghai, will showcase best practices both domestically inside China, at Chinese airports and airlines, at sea, as well as how companies are successfully selling to Chinese consumers travelling overseas.

For further details about the research, the event, the speakers and the two-day schedule, please go to www.chinatravelretail.com, or contact the CTR team at info@chinatravelretail.com.

 

13.06.12 | Q Streaming pilot continues its success

Qantas is set to continue its Q Streaming pilot for a further six months, offering Qantas customers world-first wireless in-flight entertainment (IFE) on board its domestic aircraft.

Q Streaming, which is based on the ground breaking BoardConnect technology from Lufthansa Systems, provides customers travelling domestically on a dedicated Boeing 767 (VH-OGH) over 200 hours of on-demand movies, television and audio programs streamed directly to iPads provided in each seat pocket.

The initial trial of the IFE product began earlier this year and in March, a content refresh enhanced the offering with the inclusion of movies. Q Streaming has been well received by customers and based on the success of the pilot to-date, will continue for a further six months.

Executive Manager Customer Experience Alison Webster said the pilot has been met with an extremely positive response from our customers. “Customers are telling us they really like the innovative Q Streaming product and enjoy the flexibility and ease of use, as well as the extensive content now available,” said Ms Webster.

Olivier Krüger, Senior Vice President Regional Management Asia Pacific at Lufthansa Systems said “We are extremely pleased with the performance of the system, having seen how reliable it has been with a full cabin of passengers. We look forward supporting the remainder of the trial with Qantas.”

Qantas will continue to assess opportunities for the application of Q Streaming across both the domestic and international fleet. Qantas was the first airline to trial the wireless IFE technology to connect to the Qantas on-demand IFE system via wi-fi devices.

 

12.06.12 | JetBlue Airways and Air China Announce Plans to Partner

The chief executives of JetBlue Airways, New York’s Hometown Airline™, and Air China Limited, China’s exclusive national flag carrier, today announced a new partnership at the 68th Annual General Meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in the Chinese capital.

The agreement marks the first partnership between JetBlue – the largest domestic airline at America’s “Gateway to the World,” New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport – and a carrier based in the rapidly-expanding Chinese market.

Air China and JetBlue will initially offer interline connections between their networks at New York/JFK as well as at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Tickets are expected to go on sale later this summer. Subject to government approval, Air China this autumn plans to enter into a codeshare with JetBlue and place its “CA” designator on flights operated by JetBlue.

“We are pleased to announce this exciting new partnership here in Air China’s hometown,” said Dave Barger, JetBlue’s president and chief executive officer. “The Chinese market continues to be a key portion of the global economy, and so we look forward to connecting business and leisure travellers between both of these well-developed networks.”

Mr. Jianjiang Cai, Air China’s President, added: “The partnership with JetBlue creates many connecting opportunities at Air China’s two strategically important U.S. gateways, New York and Los Angeles. It strengthens both our networks and benefits travelers of both countries.”

Air China offers one daily flight from New York and two daily flights from Los Angeles to Beijing Capital International Airport. In addition, separate from the JetBlue interline, the airline flies once-daily from San Francisco and Vancouver to Beijing.

The international carrier’s Los Angeles flights are operated with the brand new Boeing 777-300ERs, which will also be deployed on the JFK route effective October 1, 2012. The “triple seven” features eight Forbidden Pavilion First Class luxury suites, 41 Capital Pavilion Business Class flat-seat beds and 259 economy seats with individual monitors and AVOD (audio-video-on-demand) entertainment system.

Air China’s transpacific first and business class passengers can now reserve, at the time of booking, a complimentary chauffeured BMW sedan transfer from the airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to any destination in these cities. In addition, a bilingual Chinese-English Air China agent is on hand to meet and greet the traveler at the gate upon arrival in Beijing and assist him or her through immigration, baggage claim and customs all the way to the main exit at the arrival level for ground transportation.

Through Beijing Capital International Airport – Asia’s busiest airport – travellers can access countless other cities across China including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Guilin, Chongqing, Fuzhou, and Nanjing, plus many other vibrant destinations across the Asia Pacific region including Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Manila, Delhi, Bangkok, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, and Kuala Lumpur.

U.S.-bound travelers can enjoy easy connections from Air China’s Beijing flights onto JetBlue flights destined for cities including Boston, Massachusetts; Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and multiple destinations in Florida including Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa. To learn more about JetBlue’s growing route network, visit www.jetblue.com.

Known for its award-winning customer service, JetBlue offers travellers a premium experience that includes all-leather seating, unlimited free snacks and drinks, plus the most legroom in economy class (based on average fleet-wide seat pitch) as well as the most free live entertainment of any U.S. airline. JetBlue also operates one of America’s youngest and most fuel-efficient airline fleets, with 172 Airbus and EMBRAER aircraft.

 

12.06.12 | Embraer and Zodiac Aerospace announce cabin interior joint venture

Embraer S.A. and Zodiac Aerospace reached an agreement to set up a joint venture to manufacture cabin interior parts for the EMBRAER 170/190 family of jets. This jointly operated manufacturing facility will be located in Mexico and reinforces a long-time successful partnership between Embraer and Zodiac Aerospace.

“This facility in Mexico will be used to manufacture interiors for our current family of E-Jets and new interiors for tomorrow’s aircraft”, said Artur Coutinho, Embraer COO. “We have a long-standing partnership with Zodiac Aerospace, and are proud to establish this venture to manufacture new state of the art products which will have been co-developed by Embraer and Zodiac Aerospace and will maintain the excellent experience passengers have flying Embraer airplanes.”

“I’m very pleased with this new step in a long-time successful cooperation between Zodiac Aerospace and Embraer,” said Maurice Pinault, Zodiac Aerospace deputy CEO.

The establishment of an interiors facility in Mexico represents one more important step in Embraer´s process of manufacturing globalization. Embraer today has industrial facilities in China, Portugal and, most recently, in the U.S., where the Company currently assembles the entry level executive jet Phenom 100.

 

12.06.12 | Combination of LAN and TAM reaches 94.4% approval, as required by Brazilian regulation, the exchange offer is extended for 10 calendar days

Santiago, Chile, June 12, 2012 – LAN Airlines S.A. (“LAN”) and TAM S.A. (“TAM”) announce at the scheduled expiration time of the offer of Holdco II S.A. (“Holdco II”), a newly formed entity to be merged into LAN, to exchange TAM shares for LAN BDRs in Brazil and LAN ADRs in the United States, at a ratio of 0.9 shares of LAN for each TAM share, that the number of TAM shares tendered plus the TAM shares to be contributed by the controlling shareholders of TAM represented 94.4% of the outstanding TAM shares. The number of tendered shares was not sufficient to satisfy the 95% squeeze-out condition set forth in the exchange offer documents. Unless this condition is satisfied, TAM will not be able to mandatorily redeem any TAM shares not acquired in the exchange offer or contributed by the controlling shareholders of TAM.

Based on these results, LAN and Holdco II waived the squeeze-out condition and, as required by Brazilian regulation, the exchange offer is extended for 10 calendar days. The exchange offer will now expire at 5:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time (6:00 P.M. Sao Paulo Time) on June 21, 2012, and, subject to the satisfaction of the other completion conditions set forth in the exchange offer documents, the auction on BM&FBOVESPA S.A. – Bolsa de Valores, Mercadorias e Futuros will occur at 9:00 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time (10:00 Sao Paulo Time) on June 22, 2012.

At the scheduled expiration time of the exchange offer, a total of 74,999,004 shares were validly tendered and not withdrawn, which represented 89.46% of the outstanding TAM shares not owned by the controlling shareholders of TAM. Together the tendered shares and the shares owned by the controlling shareholders of TAM represent 147,836,864 shares or 94.4% of the outstanding shares of TAM.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The Offer was made only pursuant to the Offer to Exchange/Prospectus forming part of Registration Statement on Form F-4 (Reg. No. 333-177984) filed by LAN and Holdco II with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on November 15, 2011, as amended on February 9, 2012, March 12, 2012, April 3, 2012, April 18, 2012, April 25, 2012 and May 7, 2012 and the exchange offer documents published or made available to investors in Brazil.

 

12.06.12 | World-class agenda and speaker line-up announced for 2012 London Airline Retail Conference

ARC2012, the world’s most focused networking platform for airline buyers and suppliers, is delighted to announce the agenda and speaker line up for next month’s conference on 9th – 11th July at the Hilton Metropole Hotel. The two day conference will focus on three main themes:

• Capitalising on Emerging Markets
• Innovation in Inflight Retail
• Improving Onboard Food & Beverage

“Understanding new and emerging markets, the need for increased innovation and improving the passenger experience are all critical to our industry right now”, said Jeffrey O’Rourke, Chief Executive of Ink, which produces ARC. “The success of ARC over the last few years has been based on its ability to address the most pressing issues affecting our industry and we believe that the themes and the excellent speaker line up will make for another successful and memorable event”.

Following the success of the sold-out conference last year, the ARC organisers have pulled together an exciting and world-class speaker line up. Confirmed speakers include:

• Bjorn Ulfberg, CEO & President, Inflight Service
• Chris Bell, Senior Manager In-Flight Services & Product, Arik Air
• Tichatonga Magongwa, Marketing Director, Tourvest Duty Free
• Amanda Felix, Publisher, DFNI
• David Loft, President, IFSA
• Mark Tazzioli, Menu Design Manager, British Airways
• Dorothy Burton, Inflight Product Manager, DHL
• Inflight food blogger, Nikos Loukas
• David Rodriguez, Manager Onboard retail Programs, Alaska Airlines
• James Woudhuysen, Author & Professor, Forecasting & Innovation, de Montfort University
• Jonathan Chippindale, CEO, Holition
• Chris Bauer, President, AirMeals
• Colin Shaddick, Director, BDRC Continental

ARC2012 is taking place on the 9th, 10th and 11th July at the Hilton London Metropole in London. The current agenda can be found online at http://airlineretail.com/current-event.
To register, or for more information about ARC2012, please call Shelly Guerrero on +44 20 7613 6959 or visit www.airlineretail.com.

 

11.06.12 | Row 44 Announces Completion of $45 Million Financing Round

Row 44, the leading provider of inflight WiFi and device-based entertainment for airlines around the world, announced today that it has closed a $45 million round of financing. The funding round was led by inflight content expert Advanced Inflight Alliance AG (AIA), and included participation by PAR Capital Management, an investor in all of Row 44′s institutional funding rounds.

“This financing continues to strengthen Row 44′s financial position, and provides us with resources to broaden our offering, expand our infrastructure and invest in the types of programs our customers will find valuable,” said John LaValle, Row 44′s CEO. “As the world’s foremost expert in inflight content, AIA has made a key investment in Row 44, and in our ability to grow and evolve the passenger experience with inflight entertainment.”

“Row 44 has created a new standard in the inflight connectivity space,” said Louis Belanger-Martin, CEO of Advanced Inflight Alliance AG. “We believe Row 44 has built the industry’s most powerful inflight WiFi solution for passenger devices. Our investment is an important strategic step for AIA to provide a connected environment complementary to the market-leading inflight entertainment content we provide to airlines across the world.”
Row 44 will use a portion of the investment capital to expand its global infrastructure to support new European and Trans-Asia airline customers, including the recently announced partnerships with Transaero, Russia’s first private airline and Icelandair.

Added LaValle “This industr