ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates-Two Middle Eastern companies announced agreements for in-flight high-speed data services.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, selected Connexion by Boeing as its high-speed in-flight Internet and live global TV service provider. The agreement calls for both in-line and retrofit installation of the Connexion by Boeing service on the airline’s fleet of 25 aircraft.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“We are very pleased to be the first airline in our region to offer the Connexion by Boeing service,” said H.E. Dr. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan, chairman of the Civil Aviation Department in Abu Dhabi and chairman of Etihad Airways. “With the introduction of this award-winning, high-speed mobile Internet and entertainment connection onboard our new aircraft, we are confident that it will give our guests the most rewarding experience of any airline.”
Etihad Airways is expected initially to offer the Connexion by Boeing service on routes between the Gulf region and Europe and North America.
In mid-2006, Etihad Airways plans to become the first airline in the world to offer live television and Internet access at every seat, Connexion said.
In a separate announcement, ASI Entertainment subsidiary ASiQ and EMS Technologies signed a letter of intent for in-flight Internet services. ASiQ has selected EMS Satcom’s high-speed data solution for the ASiQnet Saudi Arabian Airlines Program to provide global in-flight Internet connectivity. Saudi Arabian Airlines, the flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, operates to a vast network of domestic and international destinations.
“ASiQ’s relationship with EMS Satcom is extremely important, as EMS Satcom is the leader in providing hardware for the in-flight Inmarsat broadband satellite packet data services,” said Ron Chapman, ASiQ’s chief executive officer.
The ASiQnet program combines the latest Inmarsat broadband satellite delivery system with third-generation networks.
