The past few years have not been easy for top leadership at Panasonic Avionics Corporation (PAC) . Following a bribery scandal in 2017-2018 the company brought in many new executives, including CEO Hideo Nakano and CTO David Bartlett. Nakano departed that role in November 2019, replaced by Ken Sain. PaxEx.Aero has also learned that Bartlett is no longer with the company.
ThinKom touts low-drag advantages in push for regional jet connectivity
Getting high-speed satellite-based internet service on to regional jets has proven an uphill battle to date. Antenna manufacturer ThinKom hopes its Ka2517 solution can help. The company released details of a study this week confirming its antenna can fly on smaller fuselages without dramatically increasing drag.
KLM pursues a new option to hang in World Business Class
Can something as simple as a hanger change the inflight passenger experience? KLM aims to find out as it deploys a new model, designed and build by Kaelis, in the closets of its World Business Class cabins.
TripIt adds carbon emissions reporting, offset options
TripIt is expanding its travel tracking resources, adding carbon emissions to its suite of trip details.
SITAONAIR expands digital services scope with GTD Air Services acquisition
After partnering in the development of a digital weather awareness platform for pilots SITAONAIR announced this week that it will acquire GTD Air Services, bringing the operation fully in-house. The deal give a significant boost to the SITAONAIR Digital Day of Operations application portfolio. And tying it to inflight connectivity makes all sorts of things work better.
Swiss completes A340 retrofit with updated IFE/C suite
Passengers on the Swiss International Air Lines A340 fleet are now guaranteed to fly with the company’s newest product. The carrier announced this week that the fifth and final aircraft completed its retrofits and returned to service.
Eastern Airlines plans JFK-Cabo San Lucas flights as it ramps up scheduled service
The (re)relaunched Eastern Airlines wants to deliver on its promise of a broad geographic footprint. The carrier applied for DoT permission to grow its scheduled service fleet from one aircraft to three, allowing it to bring new routes to market. Following its recent approval to operate flights to Mexico it announced its intentions to serve Cabo San Lucas from its JFK home in March 2020.
Aviation, health authorities step up efforts to contain Wuhan coronavirus
With a potential global health crisis looming aviation authorities around the world are stepping up efforts to identify and quarantine travelers who may be carrying the SARS-like coronavirus that first appeared in Wuhan, China. Authorities confirm six deaths and nearly 300 patients diagnosed with the illness. Cases identified in South Korea, Thailand, and Japan in recent days have health authorities on edge.
Airbus brings A321 production to Toulouse, replacing A380 work
Out with the A380, in with the A321neo. Airbus announced its intention to convert its A380 Lagardère facility in Toulouse to a final assembly line for the spectacularly popular and well-selling A321neo. The transition is expected to occur by mid-2022.
South African Airways suspends some flights as losses deepen
Just a day after announcing “flights to all its destinations continue as normal” South African Airways made cuts to its operation. Domestic flights to Cape Town and Durban are affected, as is the Munich route.