Hong Kong S.A.R
OnAir announced today, at the Aircraft Interiors Expo Asia, that it has been selected by Kingfisher Airlines to offer its passengers a full range of passenger communication services. Starting in 2008, Kingfisher Airlines' long-haul passengers will be able to use Webmail OnAir, Webchat OnAir followed in 2009 by Internet and Mobile OnAir to access the Internet during flights, as well as send and receive emails and make and receive phone calls.
OnAir's services will initially be installed on five new Airbus A330s and five new Airbus A340s with plans in place to install the system across its entire longrange fleet. Kingfisher Airlines will use its A330s on routes to Europe and Asia, while the A340s will service longer nonstop flights, such as to the USA.
Hitesh Patel, Executive Vice President, Kingfisher Airlines, said, "We pride ourselves on our high levels of service, including state-of-the-art inflight entertainment and Live TV at every seat. Being the first, not just in India but also in the world, to offer our guests all of OnAir's communications services, is truly a great opportunity."
Benoit Debains, CEO of OnAir, said, "We are pleased to be selected by Kingfisher airlines, a leading airline in passenger service and comfort. This decision is setting a new standard for air travel in one of the most dynamic regions for air travel and telecommunications."
The OnAir Internet services enable airlines to increase the value of the experience they offer to passengers. Business travellers can take advantage of flight time to stay in touch with their office, to catch up with email and to work using their corporate network. Leisure travellers also have the option of staying in touch by phone, and of checking personal email and "chatting" with friends and family through the IFE system.
The service is based on an onboard server, and is connected to the ground infrastructure through SwiftBroadband, Inmarsat's broadband satellite infrastructure.
Fees will be based on data download for Internet usage, and per flight for webmail and instant messaging, and for Mobile OnAir the cost will be similar to international roaming rates, with passengers being billed by their operator on their regular bill.
For further information (not for publication) contact:
Charlie Pryor
The Wordshop
+44 (0) 20 7031 8270
cp@theword-shop.com
About OnAir
OnAir was incorporated in February 2005 and is owned by Airbus, the aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, and SITA, the world's leading provider of air transport focused applications, communications and IT infrastructure.
OnAir's goal is to give airline passengers the ability to communicate from the sky. The OnAir service portfolio addresses passenger voice and data communications needs on both long- and short-haul flights, on commercial Airbus and Boeing aircraft, while focusing on passengers' needs, offering choice, and ensuring an economically viable business model for airlines. OnAir is a member of the GSM Association and an Inmarsat Distribution Partner for SwiftBroadband services.
Further information can be found at www.onair.aero
About OnAir's Internet services
OnAir's Internet services consist of three elements: Internet OnAir, Webmail OnAir and Webchat OnAir.
Internet OnAir allows passengers to access the Internet from their laptop computers via a wireless or wired connection, PDAs, or the seatback IFE system. Laptop users will be able to use a variety of Internet-enabled software applications on their computer to connect to the ground, such as virtual private network, email, instant messaging, and Web browsers.
Webmail OnAir allows airline passengers to stay in touch by accessing their existing web-based email account during a flight. Passengers are able to preview the contents of their email Inbox at no charge before purchasing the service.
Webchat OnAir enables passengers to use personal instant messaging accounts to communicate in real time during the flight with contacts on the ground. Passengers send and receive messages using their existing AIM (AOL), ICQ, MSN Messenger / Windows Live Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger accounts.
About Kingfisher Airlines
Kingfisher Airlines was launched in 2005 and is India's fastest-growing airline. Voted 'Best Airline' and 'India's Favourite Airline' by the Times of India, and among the top ten 'Buzziest Brands' of 2005 and 2006 by agencfaqs.com and Brand Reporter, the carrier focuses on 'Superior Service at True Value', and is India's first and only private airline to commence operations with a brand new fleet of aircraft. Kingfisher Airlines already offers a personal inflight entertainment at every seat on domestic routes and has progressively introduced Live TV in-flight for the first time in India.
Further information can be found at www.flykingfisher.com
Source: Kingfisher (Business Wire India)