Cathay Pacific And Panasonic Avionics Corporation Plan To Keep Passengers Connected As They Fly

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7th July 2010, 01:17pm - Views: 941






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MEDIA RELEASE PR40319


Cathay Pacific and Panasonic Avionics Corporation Plan to Keep Passengers Connected As They Fly


LAKE FOREST, California, July 7 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --


    Cathay Pacific Airways and Panasonic Avionics Corporation today announced

the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the provision of full

broadband connectivity on all Cathay Pacific and Dragonair passenger

aircraft.


    While final terms are still being negotiated, the MOU allows the parties

to immediately begin developing the plan to provide connectivity for

passengers together with promotional, sponsorship and e-commerce

opportunities for Cathay Pacific partner brands.


    Cathay Pacific is the first airline in Asia to announce its intention to

deploy Panasonic Avionics' Global Communications Suite broadband connectivity

solution. It is also the first airline globally to announce an intention to

provide the solution across its full fleet. Services will launch from early

2012, subject to regulatory approval.


    The Panasonic Avionics connectivity solution for Cathay Pacific will

comprise the eXConnect broadband service, eXPhone GSM phone service, and a

CX-branded free-of-charge entertainment portal - accessible through all

passenger devices and seatback screens - that will include a range of content

updated during the flight, access to airline and partner sites, e-commerce,

airline-specific advertising, and live television with a unique pay-per-view

capability for special events.


    - eXConnect provides two-way broadband connectivity supporting

      a wide range of passenger and crew applications, including Internet

      access, voice, data, and the ability to monitor and transmit airline

      operational data in real time at speeds of up to 50 Mbps to the

      aircraft.

    - eXPhone, offered in collaboration with AeroMobile's GSM mobile

      phone technology, allows passengers to use their mobile phones, smart

      phones and BlackBerry(R) devices onboard to make voice calls, send SMS

      text messages or utilise data services and stream content wirelessly to

      their iPod(R), iPhone(R) and iPad(R). eXPhone gives the airline

      flexibility and full control over the services offered including

      restricting certain services when appropriate.


    Alex McGowan, Head of Product for Cathay Pacific, said: "Connectivity

will form an important part of our overall customer proposition. Having that

connectivity integrated closely with our video on demand entertainment system

is especially valuable as it means that all passengers will be able to use

the service. We believe that being connected is now an expected part of

everyday life - not just for business purposes but also to stay in touch with

family and friends. This system will allow passengers to be as 'in touch' as

they wish to be while enjoying the great Cathay Pacific and Dragonair

service."


    Charles Ogilvie, Executive Director of China for Panasonic Avionics

Corporation, said: "We are very proud and thrilled to be working with Cathay

Pacific. We are committed to serving the needs of the ever-growing markets in

China and Asia. With Panasonic Avionics' Global Communications Services,

Industry Aviation Panasonic Avionics Corporation 3 image

Cathay Pacific will be the first airline in Asia to offer passengers the most

innovative inflight entertainment and communication options onboard

commercial aircraft."


    Cathay Pacific Airways and Panasonic Avionics Corporation have enjoyed a

close relationship since 1994.


    About Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd

    Cathay Pacific Airways is a Hong Kong-based airline offering scheduled

passenger and cargo services to some 120 destinations in Asia, North America,

Australia, Europe and Africa, using a fleet of 103 wide-body passenger

aircraft and 25 freighters. The company is a member of the Swire group and is

a public company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Dragonair is a

wholly owned subsidiary and Cathay Pacific also has a 60% stake in AHK Air

Hong Kong Ltd, an all-cargo carrier operating regional express freight

services. Cathay Pacific has made substantial investments to develop Hong

Kong as one of the world's leading global transportation hubs. The airline is

a founding member of the oneworld global alliance.


    About Panasonic Avionics Corporation

    Panasonic Avionics Corporation is the world's leading supplier of

inflight entertainment and communication systems. The company's best-in-class

solutions, supported by professional maintenance services, fully integrate

with the cabin enabling airlines to deliver the ultimate travel experiences

with a rich variety of entertainment choices, resulting in improved quality

communication systems and solutions, and lower overall costs.


    Established in 1979, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, a US corporation, is

a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North

American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC). Headquartered in

Lake Forest, California with over 2,600 employees and operations in 50

locations worldwide, it serves over 200 customers worldwide and provides IFEC

systems on over 3,700 aircraft. For additional information, please visit



SOURCE: Panasonic Avionics Corporation


    CONTACT: Theresa Yeoh of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, 

             +1-949-632-0149


To view this and other AsiaNet releases please visit http://www.asianetnews.net






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