Dubai – Air Arabia, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, needed to update the in-flight entertainment (IFE) technology on its 172 aircraft, and the airline found a solution from Panasonic Avionics Corp., Irvine, Calif. Air Arabia selected Panasonic's eXW wireless in-flight entertainment (IFE) technology.
The contract expands Air Arabia's existing program of six A321LRs already flying with Panasonic Avionics' eXW solutions to its Airbus A320neo, A321neo and A321XLR fleet. In total, 120 aircraft will be line-fitted by the OEM and a further 52 aircraft will be equipped through the retrofit program.
According to Panasonic, its eXW is designed to deliver a premium experience to Air Arabia passengers' personal devices. Wireless entertainment available to passengers will also include digital solutions such as Panasonic Avionics' ArcTM moving map, Insights Data Analytics and OneMedia advertising services. An integrated moving map application from ArcTM and Panasonic Avionics.
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Ken Thane, CEO of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said: “Air Arabia is renowned for its ability to combine comfort, reliability and value for its customers, and we are excited to work with the airline as they execute a compelling digital strategy that will further enhance the value of their brand.”
“Wireless IFE remains a key element in many airline strategies. eXW creates a unique experience that combines passenger entertainment, digital apps and in-flight retail to deliver a truly unique passenger experience with a competitive total cost of ownership and attractive ROI.”
Adel Al Ali, Group CEO of Air Arabia, said: “We are grateful to Panasonic Avionics for their support in extending the existing in-flight wireless entertainment system on our A321 aircraft to all current and future Air Arabia fleets. This step not only demonstrates our commitment to investing in cutting-edge, value-driven solutions, but also aims to further enhance the in-flight experience we offer our customers. Through the eXW-powered 'Sky Time' portal, our customers can continue to enjoy personalized content streamed to their personal devices, further enhancing their air travel experience with Air Arabia.”
