Work as a senior executive in the inflight entertainment and connectivity business can be a fragile position. As the companies in the space continue to come up short on consistent and stable profits the likelihood of a sudden shift remains very real. Reports in to PaxEx.Aero suggest that just such a shift is underway at one of the leading providers in this segment.
PaxEx Premium: Mahata joins the IFC financing fray
Is there a secret to better financing of inflight connectivity solutions? Indonesia's Mahata Aero Technology (MAT) is the latest to take that plunge, with an arrangement to cover the costs for Garuda and Citilink. The deal relies on partnerships with suppliers Lufthansa Systems, Lufthansa Technik and Inmarsat, along with what MAT Executive Director Iwan Setiawan describes as "a unique business model" that is proving successful in its preliminary state.
La Compagnie to deliver fast, free wifi on A321 fleet
Fast, free wifi across the Atlantic Ocean? La Compagnie is set to deliver precisely that as it upgrades its fleet to the A321neo.
End of the (assembly) line for the A380
It is huge. It is (generally speaking) more comfortable for passengers. It is spectacularly quiet on board. And as of 2021 no more will be built. Airbus confirmed today that it will finally halt production of its A380 super jumbo in two years, once the final 17 frames are delivered. The move comes after reaching an agreement with Emirates to slash the carrier’s order backlog.
PaxEx Premium: Huge boost for Viasat’s aero play
As the installed aircraft count ticks higher for Viasat so, too, does the share of revenue the company realizes from that segment. The growth rate will slow in the coming year as the American Airlines fleet completes its conversion (more than 450 aircraft installed to date) but CEO Mark Dankberg believes there is still runway left in the market. Even if it is going to be a little later than previously expected.
SilkAir selects Thompson Vantage for flat-bed upgrades
Singapore-based SilkAir will upgrade its 737 MAX fleet to offer the Thompson Vantage lie-flat seat in its business class cabin. The carrier joins a growing number of airlines that sees flat bed seating as financially viable on their smaller planes.
Delta’s A220 launches embedded wireless IFE
Rolling out a new inflight entertainment solution is not easy. For Delta Flight Products and Gogo the unveiling of Gogo Vision Touch on Delta’s A220 fleet this week is a major milestone achievement. And it mostly works.
PaxEx Premium: Easing the 2Ku backlog
United, Aeromexico extend Viasat inflight connectivity deals
Viasat added a pair of new orders from existing customers United Airlines and Aeromexico today, continuing its growth in the inflight connectivity market.
PaxEx Premium: SmartSky’s $104mm network push
Fresh off the announcement of its first commercial airline customer, upstart inflight connectivity provider SmartSky secured additional funding to complete its nationwide network deployment. The company announced a $104mm investment, bringing the total investment for the company to nearly $350 million.