Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways will be Rockwell Collins’ first airline customer to experience wireless broadband connectivity with the company’s new Paves inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) solution.

Under the terms of the agreement, Jazeera Airways will install Paves Cabin Wireless and Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) high speed connectivity on its fleet of seven Airbus A320 aircraft. The new service will launch in December 2016.

“Jazeera Airways is leading the way by implementing the fastest and most reliable airline IFEC solution available,” said Claude Alber, vice president and managing director, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa. “For passengers, this means a wealth of new possibilities for entertainment, information and services while traveling anywhere in the world. For Jazeera, this means the ability to provide unique services that will keep customers satisfied and loyal.”

“Global Xpress, delivered over Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) constellation, is set to transform the passenger experience. For the first time, airlines can offer inflight connectivity that is fast, reliable and consistent, with coverage across the world. As a result, passengers will have access to the same high quality of broadband that has previously only been available on the ground,” said Leo Mondale, president of Inmarsat Aviation. “We look forward to working with Jazeera Airways and Rockwell Collins on this important agreement.”

Rockwell Collins PAVES Cabin Wireless media distribution system delivers a number of advanced capabilities for airlines, including:

• The ability to stream video content to more than 500 passengers simultaneously
• A flexible, open-software architecture to support a wide array of apps and services including entertainment, news, paid services and shopping.
• An intelligent, high-performance on-board network with consistent delivery to every passenger.

Rockwell Collins is a value added reseller of GX Aviation services. GX Aviation will provide high-speed internet connectivity across the world, enabling Jazeera Airways passengers to watch videos, browse the internet and download files in-flight, with a reliable connection that matches the quality and speed customers traditionally experience when on the ground. Combined with Rockwell Collins Paves Cabin Wireless system, it dramatically expands the possibilities for inflight entertainment to include real-time TV and TV-on-demand. – TradeArabia News Service