White paper airplane with white dotted line following it on a blue background.

Press Release: Cathay picks Avionica next gen e-Enablement system

Rotation

Cathay Pacific Airways has selected Avionica as the integrator and supplier for their e-Enabled, airborne global connectivity program. Starting in early 2017, Cathay Pacific’s second generation e-Enabled system will be deployed across the Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon fleet including the B777, B747, A320 and A330 aircraft types. In selecting Avionica, Cathay Pacific obtains extensive expertise in STC development and installation support for their e-Enablement solution. Avionica’s e-Enablement hardware package provides Cathay Pacific a single, common set of hardware across Boeing and Airbus fleets.

“Avionica offers Cathay Pacific an integrated airborne hardware solution for e-enablement and fulltime global connectivity. As part of their STC integration experience, Avionica’s STC design data package is of among the highest quality that we have seen,” said Rob Saunders, Head of Engineering Business Improvement and Lean at Cathay Pacific Airways.

This selection marks an important milestone in the development of airline e-Enablement as Avionica continues its expansion into Asia’s air transport market with their versatile global voice and data connectivity solutions. Accordingly, Cathay Pacific will achieve fleet wide deployment of an advanced e-Enablement program – a program that is at the heart of Cathay Pacific’s efficiency enhancing initiatives.

Avionica’s solution available to Cathay Pacific includes:

  • satLINK MAX Iridium satellite communications system
  • aviONS Onboard Network Server
  • avCM 4G cellular device
  • avSYNC QAR download

satLINK MAX remains the industry’s only 4-channel, FANS-1/A and ATC Voice Safety Service approved Iridium SATCOM system. The multitude of Iridium channels enables Cathay Pacific to maximize e-Enabled aircraft connectivity without restricting critical Voice and FANS-1/A safety services.

aviONS provides an open-platform network solution supporting airline and third party e-Enablement systems. aviONS enhances airborne connectivity with global 4G Cellular and WiFi connectivity. Cathay Pacific will tap aviONS’ WiFi connectivity for crew wireless applications including efficient in-flight reporting of cabin discrepancy.

To manage connectivity, Avionica’s avSYNC global data transfer network is available to provide automated data transfer between aircraft and their operation center. As Cathay Pacific’s e-Enabled aircraft focus is efficiency, avSYNC’s ability to automate data synchronization of on board applications would become a key component of their strategy.

“We’re excited to have been selected by Cathay Pacific in deploying the e-Enabled aircraft solution across their fleet of aircraft. We welcome Cathay to the family of customers that entrust their hardware, STC integration, and data management to us,” said Avionica Vice President of Sales, Anthony Rios. “Cathay is leading the charge in e-Enablement. With this selection, Avionica becomes the lead enabler to achieve that.”

[Editor’s note: Separately, RGN has learned that Avionica is also working with Cathay software partner Arconics (recently purchased by ViaSat) for some IFE integration of their software onto its hardware platform.]

About Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific Airways is a Hong Kong-based airline offering scheduled passenger and cargo services to nearly 200 destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, Europe and Africa, using a fleet of more than 140 wide-body aircraft. The company is a member of the Swire group and is a public company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Cathay Dragon is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific, and the airline also has a 60% stake in AHK Air Hong Kong Ltd, an all-cargo carrier operating regional express freight services. Cathay Pacific has made substantial investments to develop Hong Kong as one of the world’s leading global transportation hubs. The airline is a founder member of the oneworld global alliance.

About Avionica

Headquartered in Miami for 25 years, Avionica is the world’s leading aircraft data collection and data transmission manufacturer, designing and producing innovative, safety-qualified, state of the art solutions that are revolutionizing air transportation. For more information, please visit www.avionica.com. Connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Featured image credited to istock.com/JakeOlimb