PAX International AIME/MRO Dubai 2017

J A N U A RY / F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 7 | V O L . 2 4 , N O . 1 | w w w. p a x . i n t l . c o m

IFEC, INTERIORS & MRO

AIME/MRO DUBAI

ZODIAC INFLIGHT INNOVATIONS ZODIAC CABIN Connected Cabin Division

EDITOR’S LETTER

PAX International 26 Pearl Street,

DECADE

Mississauga, Ontario L5M 1X2, Canada Tel: (1 905) 821-3344; Fax: (1 905) 821-2777 website: www.pax-intl.com

PUBLISHER Aijaz Khan

THREE

E-mail: aijaz@globalmarketingcom.ca

EDITORIAL OFFICES Rick Lundstrom, Editor-in-Chief PAX International 723 Jefferson Street, NE Minneapolis, MN 55413, USA Tel: (1 612) 378-0862 Fax: (1 612) 378-0852 E-mail: rick@pax-intl.com Melissa Silva, Editor Tel: (1 905) 821-3344 x21 E-mail: melissa@pax-intl.com CONTRIBUTORS Mary Jane Pittilla

A R T D E PA R T M E N T Jessica Hearn E-mail: jessica@globalmarketingcom.ca

ADVERTISING OFFICES Kevin Greene, Advertising Sales Executive Tel: (1 905) 821-3344 x31 E-mail: kevin@pax-intl.com PAX International is published seven times a year (January/February, March/April, May, June/July, September, October/November, December) by PAX International, 26 Pearl Street, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 1X2, Canada. International Distribution.

Subscriptions: $200 for one year; $300 for two years; $400 for three years. Art and photographs will not be returned unless accompanied by return postage. The views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher or editor. January/ February 2017, Vol. 24, No. 1. Printed in Canada.

All rights reserved. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. © PAX International magazine

ISSN 1206-5714 Key title: Pax International

T

he spring of 1997 brought what was then called the Inflight Food Service Association Conference and Exhibition to Vancouver. As I recall, the event was originally scheduled for Singapore that year and later moved closer to most of the membership’s homes.

A few weeks earlier, what was then the International Flight Catering Association gathered in Bruges, Belgium. It was there we first brought the idea of new magazine for the industry. It was only a cover, and a lot of blank pages.

This year, both the catering organizations have changed their names, and one has fallen by the wayside. But the name PAX International is still out there.

The first issue was brought to Vancouver and stacked next to the competition. That was the start of a publication that weathered worldwide recessions and downturns and now shows up for the first time in 2017 at the Aircraft Interior Middle East event in Dubai.

Yes, PAX International will be 20 years old this year. For those of you who have followed the magazine over

much of our history, it’s hard for us to express enough gratitude. Readers have hung with us through industry ups and downs, and loyal advertisers still find our content and publication worthy of hard-earned money.

We know that we have to earn that support with every day we work on this magazine. You’ll be reading more about the early years of PAX and some of the people who were instrumental in its early days in issues to come. We plan a history section for the big events in Hamburg, and look forward to a year of evolving our magazine, website and newsletter to make use of available technology.

Now, on behalf of our staff, Publisher Aijaz Khan, Editor Melissa Silva; Advertising Representative Kevin Greene; Designer Jessica Hearn (who is patiently waiting for me to finish this) and Contributor Mary Jane Pittilla, we wish you a prosperous 2017 and please, keep reading.

Rick Lundstrom Editor-in-Chief, PAX International

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Contents

J A N UA RY / F E B R UA RY 2 0 1 7 | VO L . 2 4 , N O. 1 | w w w. p a x . i n t l . c o m

SEATING 9

SLIM AND PRACTICAL As orders for aircraft continue to pour in, airline seating companies rush to accommodate demand. Here are the latest offerings from three of the important players

12 SKY INTERIOR SEATING

LIFT by Encore’s Tourist Class seat is headed for certification and two new 737 MAX operators this year

13 AIME PANEL

Top players gather to discuss in-seat power at AIME 2017

IFE AND CONNECTIVITY

16

14 TAPE TO DIGITAL

digEcor finds a customer for its GLIDE tape replacement solution with Turkish airline Corendon

16 CONNECTIVITY CHAT

After its merger with Virgin America was complete, Alaska Airlines launched a comprehensive inflight program at the beginning of the year

INTERIOR MRO REPORT

19 TAKING AIM AT THE MIDDLE EAST MARKET

As the aircraft interiors industry gears up for the AIME Expo in Dubai, many companies report a lucrative and growing regional market that continues to shine

26 SOLUTION-BASED SERVICE

For more than 25 years, Leki Aviation has been providing specialized services aimed at supporting its customers throughout the life cycle of their aircraft, and plans to further strengthen its service concept and repair support in 2017

AIRLINE PROFILE

19 DEPARTMENTS 3

EDITOR’S NOTE

5

NEWS

8

PEOPLE NEWS

30

WHAT’S HOT

4 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

27 NEW CAPABILITIES

The engineering arm of Etihad Airways is working with a leading supplier of aviation textiles to create a new capability for the airline, and third party customers to meet important flammability test regulations

COMPANY PROFILE

29 LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

STELIA Aerospace is putting innovation and passenger well-being at the heart of its latest product developments in Business and First Class cabins

EVENT COVERAGE

34 MERCURY MARKS 35 YEARS

The industry’s iconic awards competition took classic tastes at the top of the winner boards at the 2016 SIAL event in Abu Dhabi

NEWS

AIRLINE NEWS

Emirates adds new range of comforts Emirates has introduced to its First and Business Class cabins a selection of lounge wear, luxury blankets, skincare from VOYA and a new range of amenity kits from Bulgari.

Among the offerings is what Emirates said is the world’s first moisturizing lounge wear designed for an airline.

It will be available in the First Class cabin on overnight long haul flights. In partnership with Matrix, the suits use Hydra Active Microcapsule Technology designed to keep skin hydrated during the flight. The technology uses billions of capsules applied to the fabric, which gently releases naturally moisturizing sea kelp during movement.

The moisturizing agent is sea kelp, a brown sea algae known to be rich in nutrients that hydrate skin while retaining moisture. The microcapsule technology locks in the moisturizer for up to 10 washes so passengers can re-use them. The suits include matching slippers and eye mask and come in a stylish felt pouch.

For added comfort, Emirates offers a faux sheepskin blanket in First Class. The comforter is on board and also sold at the Emirates Official Store. Business Class passengers will also have newly introduced soft duvets in charcoal grey on their next flight.

A new range of luxury spa products are now available both on board and on the ground from Irish brand VOYA. Created exclusively for Emirates, this skincare line includes shampoo, conditioner, body wash, cleanser, body moisturizer, hand wash, and soap and hand cream. It will be available in the A380 shower spa on board and selected products

Qatar Airways adds amenities front and back Qatar Airways has launched a new partnership with The White Company to provide exclusively designed sleepwear to First and Business Class passengers traveling across the airline’s global network and launched a range of cabin service improvements starting this year Destinations will be the theme of Qatar Airways’ Economy Class kits

in Emirates’ airport lounges. The hand and body cream can also be found in the First and Business Class washrooms.

The range for Emirates includes three fragrances: rosemary & mint (Revitalise range), lavender & rosemary (Tranquility range) and lime and mandarin (Soothing range).

VOYA’s line of skincare is made from sustainable organic seaweed, which has been hand harvested in Sligo, Ireland.

The brand is a mainstay in luxury boutique spas worldwide.

Emirates has also partnered with Italian brand Bulgari for its latest designs of the airline’s exclusive kit bags. The new set of amenity kits for both First and Business Class feature Bulgari’s woody floral fragrance – Eau Parfumée au thé noir — and contain skincare essentials to keep customers feeling fresh and pampered throughout the flight.

The First Class kit bags, made from fine leather, come in eight designs in charcoal grey for men and pale grey for women. Eight additional designs are available in Business Class – four for men and four for women. The amenity kits are available on long-haul overnight flights.

Emirates has rolled out new comfort wear and amenity kits throughout the front cabin

The newly designed sleeper suits are bespoke for First Class passengers and are individually styled for men and women. The men’s sleeper suit is designed in a charcoal grey marl, and the women’s in a contemporary, midgrey, both are made of 100% cotton. Both sets come with matching cotton slippers, with a faux fur interior sole.

The three-year partnership will include the addition of new sleeper suits in a range of fresh colors and styles.

Qatar Airways recently launched new designer amenity kits from BRICS featuring products from Italy’s Castello Monte Vibiano Vecchio the environmentally friendly olive oil company, including lip balm, and hydrating facial mist and City Cream anti-ageing moisturizer in Business Class, with the added night recovery cream for First Class kits. The airline also launched new amenity kits to Economy Class.

The bags’ design features inspiring images of destinations on Qatar Airways’ route network. The exterior design will be refreshed every four months with new places from Qatar Airways’ network of more than 150 destinations.

Inside the amenity kit passengers, will discover comfort essentials such as an Institut Karité Paris lip balm and a Miradent dental kit alongside their eye mask, socks and ear plugs, adding value to their overall travel experience.

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NEWS

AIRLINE NEWS

Kuwait Airline Jazeera is IdeaWorksCompany’s best innovator Though it only operates a fleet of seven aircraft, Jazeera Airways protects its passengers and their vehicles from the desert heat in several ways and earned the airline first place among IdeaWorksCompany’s Top 5 Revenue Innovation Champs for 2016.

IdeaWorksCompany is based in Shorewood, Wisconsin near Milwaukee and is a well-known consulting firm that tracks airline ancillary revenue, and works with airlines on brand development, customer research and competitive analysis, frequent flyer programs and on-site executive workshops.

Several factors gave Jazeera the edge, said IdeaWorksCompany. The airline in September opened its Park & Fly facility, which has more than 500 covered parking spaces, and an air-conditioned private building for check-in that has Starbucks coffee, ATM, newsagent and a money exchange.

“It’s an exceptional example of an airline building ancillary revenue from service and retail activity, while gaining even more by attracting higher-yield business travelers,” said a release from IdeaWorksCompany.

IdeaWorksCompany recognized four other airlines: • Ryanair has built a following of 11 million people in its My Ryanair customer profile initiative. Prospective members answer 15 questions in a survey, with the data collected used for offers to boost revenues. In Septem-

ber Ryanair offered a €10 (US$11) flight credit to join.

•

Delta Air Lines has been investing heavily in to improve passenger service. Delta now has RFID attachments to bags for passengers to track their movement on mobile phone apps.

•

Vueling Airlines in Spain has a new Pending Passenger feature allows people to book a fellow passenger without a name and save a seat for a fee of €2 (US$2) and supply the name of the passenger within a 72 hour window. “Pending Passenger entices consumers to book Vueling…even when all the details of a trip are not yet confirmed,” said IdeaWorksCompany

•

The fifth airline recognized for innovation was Qantas Airways. People who buy the Qantas Assure health insurance policy can download an app that delivers frequent flyer miles for remaining physically active. Program member can accrue up to 15,000 Qantas points in a year for running, walking or even dancing. “The program provides a powerful combination of benefits for Qantas by encouraging frequent flyer participation, generating policy revenue, and building the brand as one that cares for its customers,” said IdeaWorksCompany.

Turkish picks Panasonic for IFEC on 167 narrowbodies Turkish Airlines has selected Panasonic Avionics Corporation’s (Panasonic) eX1 inflight entertainment and communications (IFEC) system and Global Communications Services for its new fleet of narrow body aircraft The eX1 system will include Panasonic’s Passenger Data Integration (PDI) service, that will allow Turkish Airlines to add higher levels of personalization to the inflight experience. PDI will also allow Turkish Airlines to recognize the travel preferences of their passengers and recommend content, services and amenities specific that will enhance their experience both in flight and in their destination city.

PDI will leverage a custom-designed Companion App that will enable passengers to securely pair their mobile device to the IFEC system and personalize and enhance their entertainment experience through capabilities that include custom playlists and a second screen environment.

The onboard experience will also include high-speed, global Wi-Fi and multiple channels of live television, enabled by Panasonic’s Global Communications Services. Turkish passengers will be able to use the service to remain connected to their friends, families, co-workers though high speed access to the Internet, social media platforms, corporate VPN networks and more. Passengers will also receive Live Text News customized for Turkish Airlines by Anadolu Agency (AA), a leading Turkish News Agency.

The television service, which is unique to Turkish Airlines, will feature TRT World Turkish News Channel -- a new channel from Turkey’s national public broadcaster, TRT, which 6 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

broadcasts balanced, in-depth reporting with a focus on global responsibility. It will also offer eight additional global channels including Sport 24. Sport 24, which is owned and operated by IMG, offers live coverage of the world’s most popular sporting events. In 2016, the channel showed live action from the Rio 2016 Olympics Games, Premier League, NFL, UEFA Champions League, NBA, Tennis Grand Slams, Bundesliga, Golf Majors, MotoGP and the Ryder Cup. Turkish Airlines’ new state-of-the-art inflight entertainment, global high-speed Wi-Fi and live television services will be available on 92 A321 NEOs-ACF, 65 737 MAX 8s and 10 737 MAX 9s. As part of the contract, Turkish Airlines has the option to equip the last 45 aircraft with its own direct affiliate’s IFE system, pending line fit offerability.

As part of the strategic partnership agreement, Panasonic will establish a Media Center and creative services team at Istanbul’s new airport until the first operation in this airport takes place, which will service Turkish Airlines exclusively. “We needed a solution not only capable of providing a reliable system, but also a truly immersive inflight experience to our passengers. With this additional support of Panasonic Avionics we will continue to offer the seamless flight experience to our valued passengers,” said M. İlker Aycı, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines. “The personalized interface designed for an optimal viewing experience combined with the industry’s largest library of games, audio, and video is what made and eX1 a proper decision for our flag carrier in this regard.”

PEOPLE NEWS

Delta welcomes new VP Brand Management Dan Csont joined Delta Air Lines December 12 as Vice President of Brand Management. He will oversee the airline’s product development and customer experience programs, brand design and marketing communications programs.

Csont was previously Global Chief Marketing Officer for Network Solutions at TE Connectivity — a publicly traded US$12 billion electronics company.

While there, he led a global team across 10 countries to develop and execute comprehensive digital strategies, re-engineer go-to-market processes and drive brand affinity. Csont has also held executive marketing roles at AT&T and Equifax.

Csont will direct product design, innovation, creativity and specific design elements that deliver on Delta’s brand promise. He will be based in Atlanta and report to Mapes.

Longtime United/Chelsea exec retires Bill Braun

Kaelis opens new office in Moscow In November, Kaelis opened an office in Moscow and announced that Asiya Gabdullina is now a part of the Kaelis team as Business Development Manager for Russia and CIS countries.

Gabdullina has more than 20 years of sales experience in the onboard services and food-service industries.

Two join EveryMundo Miami-based marketing solutions provider EveryMundo as added Oliver Dunn as Director of Business Development and Jonathan Liu as Managing Director for the company’s Asia-Pacific region.

Dunn has more than a decade of experience in business development and revenue growth strategies. He previously held a sales leadership role at Intelligent Medical Objects, a medical software company.

Liu’s background is in search engine optimization and marketing, paid search and online advertising management. He has previously worked at Yahoo! and the Asia division of Hotels.com.

EveryMundo specializes in solutions of r optimizing the direct online booking channel. The company’s airTRFX provides airlines with the online booking infrastructure to compete with online travel agencies.

Jonathan Liu

Shortly before the Thanksgiving Holiday, Bill Braun Managing Director of Global Sales and Marketing at Chelsea Food Services/ United Airlines announced his retirement after 20 years with the company.

“I’ve lived in many exciting places, working with some great people, and for some excellent companies,” he said.

In a 2012 story in PAX International, Braun looked back on a career in an ever-changing industry, with endless challenges.

He also gave some advice to anyone at the beginning of a career.

“It’s an exciting business with lots of great opportunities to advance, travel, and meet people from all walks of life. Your pay will get better and better if you work hard and deliver good results.

But, expect to work lots of hours, weekends, nights, holidays, seven-day weeks ” he said.

Braun also gave back to the industry as an active member of the International Flight Services Board for nearly 10 years.

In retirement, he plans to live in both Denver and San Diego, where he will enjoy snow skiing and sailing and being around family and friends. He and his wife, Chris, also plan to travel extensively, visiting industry colleagues from his 47 years in the business.

8 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

Oliver Dunn

SEATING

Slim and practical

As orders for aircraft continue to pour in, airline seating companies rush to accommodate demand. Here are the latest offerings from three of the important players

The 3530Swift seat from Recaro is available in a number of pre-approved and pre-certified configurations at supplier furnished equipment

T

he global aircraft seating market is taking shape in new directions and adding new players by the year, to meet the surging demand for air transport in emerging markets and developing regions.

At the same time, products are being developed with new materials and modified to a new breed of traveler demanding power and entertainment, yet still mindful of comfort in an aircraft personal space that within a year, could be shrinking in noticeable ways on short-haul flights.

Slimness and lightweight are two of the most important factors airlines consider when selecting a seating manufacturer. One other requirement has become vital: quick turnarounds.

Manufacturers are responding with new configurations and supplier furnished choices that are pre-certified and cataloged with a goal to shave months off the time between order and delivery.

One thing is certain; assembly lines around the world will be busy in the years to come. The signs of continued growth are everywhere. According to a report by market research firm ReportsnReports, compound annual growth (CAGR) of the global seating market is pegged at 13.78% from 2016-21.

“A rise in passenger traffic as well as an increase in aircraft orders and deliveries are the major factors affecting the growth in the aircraft seating market,” said an introduction to the report. While the company sees narrow-

body aircraft taking up much of the demand, wide-body aircraft demand will begin to grow faster in the future.

Another study, by United Kingdombased MarketsAndMarkets projected that the seating market would grow from US$8.74 Billion in 2016 to US$16.94 Billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 14.15% during the same period.

One company that has been growing apace within the aircraft industry is Recaro Aircraft Seating. At the end of the year, the company had hit its growth targets of 10% and went into January with a substantial order for its 3530Swift seat that is supplier furnished equipment (SFE). (See related story page 15) The 3530Swift will be part of the Economy Class cabin on the A320neo aircraft at Tigerair in Singapore.

For Recaro the order is important because it is the first SFE seat for the workhorse A320 family of aircraft. For narrow-body aircraft a catalog approach of pre-certified SFE’s with pre-defined options will drive down the lead times and eliminate the risks of seeking out multiple suppliers for each feature, said Recaro’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mark Hiller. With such a selection of pre-configured and pre- certified seating available in the Airbus catalog, he said lead times could be trimmed to as short as four months. Since the beginning of last year, Recaro says that Airbus has placed enough orders for the 3530Swift to equip 74 A320s.

“The 3530Swift seat’s short deliv-

ery times, combined with its extensive options package represents the ideal solution for low-cost airlines,” said Irene Tan, General Manager of Asia Pacific at Recaro.

For airlines like Tigerair, the 3530Swift offers not only a suitable seat for the low-cost carrier but also the ability to order from a producer close to its headquarters. Three years ago, Recaro opened a new production site in China for the seat variety. Hiller said Recaro doubled the output at the plant last year and expects to double the output again before the end of 2017.

Essenza and Elemento

Italy-based Geven Aircraft seating is also attempting to fill out the intense production plans for both the A320 and 737 with selection of slim Economy Class seating that is geared toward the

The Essenza Economy Class seat weighs in at just less than eight kilograms fully dressed

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SEATING

Geven has designed the Elemento seat for long haul travel of eight to 12 hours

future where airlines increase capacity by lowering seat pitch — a move that could happen by next year.

When, and if it does, Geven has a new slim line seat called the Essenza designed for a 27-inch seat pitch.

On the company’s website, the Essenza (in English “Essence”) is listed among Geven’s New Concepts, which includes its Bacio Business Class seat and the Piuma Sofa, a bed seat that can be integrated with the headrest in a row of Economy Class seating, that allows passengers to lie in comfort on long-haul flights. Rounding out the portfolio are several concepts in the Piuma line of Economy Class seating, the Comoda for Business Class and

Comoda AQ for Premium Economy and the Breeze Business Class seating.

The Essenza comes in two variations. One is pre-reclined for highdensity configurations, while the other can be reclined up to six inches Geven has built the Essenza to weigh out at 7.9 kilograms for a fully dressed seat at a width of 18.3 inches. Shin and knee clearance were important elements to the product’s design and Geven has added a lightweight cushion and a slim backrest. In the non-recline option, Essenza eases back 13 degrees up to 23 degrees, while the recline option takes the seat back up to 30 degrees.

Rodolfo Baldascino, Marketing and Sales Manager at Geven said the company made the Essenza for an aircraft environment where passengers bring their own entertainment for wireless Internet and streaming content. A combination of plastics and cushion material availability makes the Essenza customizable.

Essenza is currently under qualification process for Airbus line-fit program and is suitable for all single aisle of Boeing and Airbus aircrafts.

The Elemento weighs in at 10.9 kilograms and is built with an adaptable backrest solution, four- to sixway adjustable headrest and comfort in cushions along with options for passenger amenities and recline for flights of eight to 12 hours.

Aviointeriors will have a new version of its Adagio seat at this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo. The seat can be configured for several aircraft cabins

10 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

‘Game changer’ for Business Class

While the company planned a floor layout of its Adagio and Columbus for this year’s Aircraft Interiors Middle East, Aviointeriors was looking to show visitors a fully working version of its Adagio PE seat at this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.

“Aviointeriors needed a new Business Class product and we also needed a game changer in terms of seat density and in the flexibility of design for a single product that could cover multiple customers needs,” said Jeffrey Forsbrey, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Italy-based Aviointeriors.

The Adagio PE is a fully lie-flat seat that can be installed in eight abreast on the 777 and 787 and seven abreast on the A330. On the 737 and the A320 the seat can be installed in a 3-2 configuration, giving passengers 100% aisle access.

To develop the Adagio, Aviointeriors worked with a London based design company called Tangerine.

With the current product offering, Forsbrey said Aviointeriors has positioned itself to grow its market share in the year to come.

“The Middle East is an exciting marketplace and we would like to retake our place at the table of seat suppliers to these wonderful innovative airlines as they grow and improve their customer platforms,” he said.

SEATING

Sky Interior

seating

With accelerated curves and matching colors, the Tourist Class seating from LIFT by Encore is designed for the Boeing Sky Interior

LIFT by Encore’s Tourist Class seat is headed for certification and two new 737 MAX operators this year

by RICK LUNDSTROM

I

t has been more than six years since Boeing delivered its first 737 outfitted with soft lines and subtle lighting that makes up its Sky Interior.

Within five years, more than 1,000 of the Sky Interiors were in the air around the world. Even, now, as deliveries of the 737 MAX is set for the first have of this year, the cabin is still taking shape, and taking on new suppliers.

One of those suppliers is south of the Boeing assembly facility in Seattle where up to 40 737s are produced each month. At the Huntington Beach plant of Encore, the four company group was preparing for certification of its LIFT seating designed specially for the airy cabin and the first of what the company plans to be a new seating launch each year to fill out a portfolio from economy to premium cabins LIFT by Encore was not under liberty to disclose the launch customers for its Tourist Class Seating. The Encore Group’s line will join the company’s other offerings, which include floor-to-floor interiors, galleys, monuments and composite aircraft

structures. Elijah Dobrusin, a former Zodiac Aerospace employee is LIFT’s Vice President of Strategy and Development. By the time the industry gathers in Hamburg for the Aircraft Interiors Expo, Dobrusin said the company will have a new product to show visitors and will be well on the way to completing certification of the Tourist Class Seat.

“We are growing pretty quick, but we definitely want to do it in a way that makes sense,” said Dobrusin.

“Because it is not all about growth for us, it is more about creating products that we want to build and our customers and our market needs.”

For the LIFT the manufacturer came to Encore with the need for a product that complemented the aspects of its Sky Interior. Shapes and colors were important to Boeing, and LIFT needed to be a seat that could appear attractive and inviting the in a LED lighting environment where shades of gray, blue and white are applied in an endless array of combinations. Encore shaped the Tourist Class Seat with accelerated curves that

12 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

matched the lines in the Sky Interior.

“In every color scenario it will look elegant,” said Dobrusin. Much of the design work on the seat took designers at LIFT into the world of office furniture where the company tried to recreate the combination of comfort and efficiency found in the slim profiles of desk seating. Shrouds have been removed and the company has added composite fiber to part of its construction. While being cost and weight competitive, Dobrusin said the simplified design makes the Tourist Class Seat competitive now and in the future, as airlines to maximize space and the perception of comfort for the passenger.

“Because we know the reality is that pitches are tight and getting tighter,” he said.

Airlines can selected the Tourist Class Seat with a variety of options. USB and standard power ports are available along with inflight entertainment from Panasonic, Thales or Zodiac Rave systems. There is also a premanufactured recline and five-inch recline feature.

The Tourist Class Seat takes into account the space and weight requirements of airlines operating the 737. The company says at 17.9 inches it is the widest seat designed for the 3-3 cabin configuration of economy class on the 737.

One of the companies Encore has selected as supplier is Tapis Corporation. Three products the Ultraleather®, Promsessa® and Ultrafabrics® have been selected as the synthetic leather for the Tourist Class Seating program.

SEATING

AIME panel to ponder in-seat power evolution

A

s part of one of the most wellknown suppliers of in-seat power, Phil Brace of Pascall Electronics has been taking a lot of interest shifting landscape and is fascinated by what he sees among the passengers as they make use of the high-bandwidth connectivity systems that are rolling out across the industry.

Brace, who works in IFEC and Airborne Power Solutions at Pascall will be one of several panelists in a session at the called The Balance of Power that will be held in the IFEC pavilion at this year’s Aircraft Interiors Middle East event in Dubai. Representatives from Astronics, Kid-Systeme, digEcor and Jordan Aircraft Maintenance will join him.

“As the personal electronic device suppliers release the latest smartphones, tablets and laptops, we see changing USB standards, inductive charging possibilities and the ongoing discussions regarding the future of 110 Volt AC in the cabin.” Brace tells PAX International.

Pascall supplies power solutions for many cabin systems, including inflight entertainment, connectivity, personal electronic device power and seat actuation systems. This will be first year that the company will be visiting Aircraft Interiors Middle East, where the company’s products are used in both line fit and retro-fit system. Pascall will be located adjacent many of the integrators that specify its products. Among the offering

in Dubai will be the company’s next generation power supply line replacement units with a high efficiency design in a vent-free housing, suited to support PED power and high power USB applications.

Pascall is a subsidiary of the Data Device Corporation. Shortly after the aquisition construction began on and addition to the company’s operations on the Isle of Wight. In addition to the introduction of further lean manufacturing techniques to improve efficiencies, DDC has invested in the Pascall plant.

Last year, a number of upgrades have increased Pascall’s production capacity and expanded the company’s vibration and temperature testing capabilities in a new purpose designed building.

Professional wash-up systems for Inflight Catering

Fly on the wings of perfection in terms of cleanliness, hygiene and safety.

Cleaned for take-off

The slim construction suits the 3-3 configuration on the 737

Security and safety are the most important values an airline can offer today. A great number of checks are required before the captain and cabin crew of an aircraft are finally able to welcome the first passenger on board. This includes, making certain that travellers will receive a clean and hygienic service.

With our warewashing systems for Inflight catering, we at MEIKO stand for a clean and perfect start. Whether you are city-hopping or launching for a long haul flight, MEIKO’s professional warewashing systems are guaranteed to reach the recommended level in purity, hygiene and cleanliness without comprise. This is the reason why you can find our technology everywhere around the globe where reliability, safety and efficiency count – from small business airports to large international traffic hubs. Discover the versatility of our tailor-made warewashing systems. Find out what we at MEIKO call the clean solution.

www.meiko.de

www.pax-intl.com | PAX INTERNATIONAL | 13

IFEC REPORT

Tape to

DIGITAL digEcor finds a customer for its GLIDE tape replacement solution with Turkish airline Corendon

I

nflight entertainment and peripherals provider digEcor announced in late January that Corendon Airlines will upgrade its tapebased inflight entertainment with the a device from the company’s GLIDE system, to enhance the inflight entertainment experience for its passengers.

The airline has placed a firm order with digEcor to upgrade their current legacy tape-based IFE system to digital with the GLIDE Tape Replacement Solution for six 737-800 aircraft, with a possibility of a further order taking the potential purchase to 12 aircraft.

Corendon Airlines is a leisure passenger carrier headquartered in Antalya, Turkey. Their current fleet is composed of 14 737s aircraft; 11 737-800 and three of which serve Corendon Dutch Airlines.

The solution will provide Corendon with the head-end device of the GLIDE embedded IFE system, the Cabin Management Terminal (CMT), a single touchscreen LRU that replaces the entire Video Control Centre (VCC), the Pre-Recorded Announcement System (PRAM), Public Address (PA), Boarding Music function (BDM) and a Moving Map. With no changes to wiring or monitors, the system essentially is installed as a plug and play solution, said digEcor.

“The benefits of this solution for Corendon airlines are many,” said Paul Thorpe, Vice President Global Sales at digEcor in the January 23 announcement. “The airline is purchasing a simplified installation that solves existing obsolescence issues and provides their passengers with many of the features of a typical overhead IFE system in one unit with broader content choice,

digEcor’s cabin management terminal will be galley mounted on Corendon Airlines’ aircraft

digital sound and enhanced viewing quality. We are delighted to welcome Corendon into the digEcor family.”

For cabin crew the interface is simple and easy to use, and can be scripted by city, is customizable to airline branding and incorporates all PRAM, BDM, IFE and cabin lighting functions if the airline chooses to extend the functionality. The CMT also has the option to allow external video sources to be connected as well, enabling close to real time screening for sports events or sponsorship and partner opportunities.

Previous customers for the digEcor Glide IFE system were ATI in the United States and EuroAtlantic Airways in Portugal.

The replacement system weighs slightly less than two kilograms in a typical installation. Usually located on a gal-

14 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

ley wall, it frees up passenger and crew galley space and helps to standardize cabin configurations so crew have a common location and operations procedure.

The cabin management component connects to aircraft 28-Volt DC power and draws less than 1 amp, so no additional power boxes are required. The system installs in two overnight maintenance windows, so there is no need for a C check and no additional aircraft downtime.

Corendon Airlines, is part of the of the Corendon Tourism Group. Together with its sister company, Corendon Dutch Airlines, the group has a fleet 17 aircraft and transports approximately two million passengers per year. Corendon Tourism Group It also operates Corendon Hotels and Resorts is a hotel chain with nine hotels.

IFEC REPORT

Connectivity

CHAT After its merger with Virgin America was complete, Alaska Airlines launched a comprehensive inflight program at the beginning of the year

by RICK LUNDSTROM

Recaro supplied the leather seating for the Alaska Airlines Premium Service cabin

T

he year’s first major promotion of an airline’s inflight entertainment product had the industry talking and passengers chatting.

A Free Chat feature was launched early this year on Seattle-based Alaska Airlines. Already, the airline has seen the importance of giving its passenger base access to connectivity in ways that allows them to easily communicate with family and friends.

Alaska Airlines is allowing its passengers to happily trade news and gossip through iMessage, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger on all the airline’s Gogo Inflight equipped aircraft.

Full Internet access is not required.

In January, passengers were accessing the Alaska Airlines Wi-Fi network and selecting the “Free Chat” option by signing in with their Gogo account or creating a complimentary account.

“We are very pleased with the early performance,” David Scotland, Alaska Airlines’ Manager of Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity. “We have seen nearly a 60% increase in guests using our Gogo Internet system since launch, and anecdotally we have heard very positive feedback from guests enjoying the service.”

In early January, Alaska Airlines was in the “beta phase” of the promotion

that will soon lead to a more streamlined process, where passengers only need to connect to the aircraft’s Wi-Fi network, select the Free Chat option and complete a “captcha” prompt.

“Additionally, during the beta period, we are closely monitoring customer care chats to understand if there is anything we should change in how we have communicated the product to our guests,” said Scotland. He said the airline intends to offer the Free Chat promotion complimentary for the foreseeable future.

From a supplier standpoint, modifying the onboard connectivity involves a few simple steps. Lowell Bike, Senior Product Manager of Inflight Entertainment at Gogo said the company’s Gogo Messaging Pass product enables all three messaging programs that are now available on Alaska Airlines.

“We often partner with our customers to recreate a better passenger experience for them,” said Bike. “Alaska offering Free Chat and Free premium content is a prime example of that.

“This is the first time we have done free messaging to all passengers, but we have offered it on a limited time or on weekends or for partners in the past.”

Alaska Airlines is part of a vast network of customers for Gogoequipped aircraft around the world. As

16 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

of the first of this year, Gogo inflight Internet was installed on 16 airlines and 2,900 commercial aircraft.

“Our focus has been the installation of our 2Ku technology, the next generation in satellite technology,” said Bike. “We’ll work through most of our installation for 1,500 aircraft over 12 airlines through 2018.”

Other features were also involved in the Alaska Airlines celebration of its merger with Virgin America.

The airline is rolling out its new Premium Class service on selected routes and offering upgrades that ranged from US$15 to US$79.

Through the end of March, the Alaska Airlines is offering unlimited access to its catalog of entertainment that it streams to personal electronic devices. A number of Hollywood hits were available in January.

At the end of January, Alaska Airlines began boarding new food and beverage products, most notably wines and beers. Among the wines are those from Washington state’s Chateau Ste. Michelle, craft beers, Bourbons and a sparkling La Marca Prosecco from Italy.

The launch of the new cabin product has been years in the making and follows a number of other changes.

Nearly half of the airline’s 737 fleet has

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IFEC REPORT

Alaska Airlines launched its free chat option early this year, and will keep it onboard for the foreseeable

been outfitted with larger overhead bins. Most of the airlines mainline aircraft has received leather seating from Recaro with 110-volt USB power ports.

“This week’s enhancements are just the beginning of the new features and promotions guests can expect to see

us implement over the next year,” said Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines’ Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, in the January 6 announcement of the free chat and new amenities available at the start of the year.

Alaska Airlines is also starting with

Gogo teams with Phasor on next-gen antenna At this year’s Airline Passenger Experience Association, Gogo and Phasor Solutions, a Washington, DC based-developer of modular, electronically steerable antennas (ESAs), announced a research and development partnership for application of their technology to the inflight connectivity market.

Phasor’s very low profile, electronically steerable antenna products are based on semiconductor fabrication techniques, and enable signal tracking with no moving parts. The antenna architecture is inherently modular, which allows the system to be scaled to various sizes and dimensions depending on the demands of the application, making this antenna technology particularly attractive for smaller aircraft.

“Gogo is a technology leader in the inflight connectivity market, and we are very pleased to partner with them so that together we may address the burgeoning demand for communications in the aeronautical broadband sector,” said David Helfgott, CEO of Phasor. “Phasor’s breakthrough technology is powerful and flexible and can therefore facilitate multiple inflight connectivity applications. We look forward to working closely with the Gogo team to better serve this important and growing market.”

JetBlue moves ahead with free Wi-Fi Shortly after Alaska Airlines announced its Free Chat option, JetBlue Airways went one step further and announced that its Fly-Fi® connectivity would be complimentary from gate to gate on nearly all its routes.

JetBlue’s Fly-Fi® gives passengers the ability to stream video and use multiple devices at once. The service enables JetBlue to deliver Amazon Video streaming entertainment to passengers onboard to their personal devices, as well as web surfing and chatting on messaging apps.

JetBlue launched the Ka-band service with ViaSat in December 2013 and has expanded Fly-Fi, recently completing installation on its entire fleet of 227 A320s, A321s and Embraer 190s.

18 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

a new airline partner that has pioneered the way passengers interacted with IFEC onboard programs. Virgin America’s Red inflight entertainment system has had passengers chatting, ordering food and drinks and enjoying the inflight experience in different ways since the airline started operations in 2007. How much of that pioneering spirit will rub off on its new owner?

Alaska Airlines’ David Scotland said time and passenger feedback would tell.

“We have not made any announcement about the future of the Virgin America onboard product,” he said.

“I can tell you that we are taking our time to do thoughtful research and analysis on what fliers love most about the Virgin America experience and will have more to share later on.”

The airline says Fly-Fi is not available on flights operating outside of the continental United States. For flights originating outside of the continental U.S., Fly-Fi will be available once the aircraft returns to the coverage area.

“It’s 2017 and our customers expect to be connected everywhere, whether that be from the comfort of their sofa or 35,000 feet above it,” said Jamie Perry, Vice President of marketing, JetBlue, in yesterday’s announcement. “That’s why we’re so proud that JetBlue is now the only airline to offer free, high-speed Wi-Fi, live TV and movies for all customers on every plane.”

Gate-to-gate Fly-Fi gives passengers the ability to email, surf, stream, tweet and shop from the moment they board until they reach the arrival gate.

JetBlue’s entertainment portal “The Hub” offers passengers the ability to read, watch, buy and learn while onboard. The newest content partner in The Hub is Vox’s premiere technology and culture platform, The Verge, which reaches people curious about the future.

Passengers can also use Fly-Fi’s high-speed connection for Internet streaming of Amazon Video on their personal devices or shop on Amazon.com to earn three TrueBlue points for every dollar spent on every purchase.

INTERIOR MRO REPORT

Taking aim at the

Middle East

market

As the aircraft interiors industry gears up for the AIME expo in Dubai, many companies report a lucrative and growing regional market that continues to shine

by MARY JANE PITTILLA

Diehl Aerosystems will exhibit a model of its lavatory space cube solution during the 2017 Aircraft Interiors Middle East event in Dubai. Diehl’s arrangement of lavatories in wide-body aircraft seeks to optimize the use of space in the cabin

T

he Middle East is a burgeoning market for aircraft interiors, as evidenced in part by the number of first-time exhibitors at Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) taking place in Dubai in February.

Representing a variety of sectors within the broad aircraft interiors industry, including uniforms, fabrics, lighting and camera systems, the new exhibitors are keen to promote their products to the 4,500 industry professionals and airline representatives who will attend AIME. By 2020, Middle Eastern, Chinese and Indian markets are predicted to jointly command 27.3% of global demand for cabin interiors, according to research firm Frost & Sullivan.

Dubai’s geocentric location makes it an ideal place to meet those markets and is within convenient travel of two thirds of the world, including Europe.

Among those exhibiting for the first time in 2017 are Saudi Arabiabased SABIC, the Kadifeteks upholstery fabric mill from Turkey, uniform producer Modus from Poland and UK-based lighting specialist Beadlight.

“Beadlight is excited to be exhibiting in the Middle East for the first time in 2017,” said Gina Amies, Director of Beadlight Ltd. “The Middle East is a rapidly growing market and we think AIME is a great show to exhibit our products and demonstrate our commitment to the market.” The company will be showcasing its new products: Stellar, design to be fixed into a seat shell or

monument; Mono fixed position light with a push open spring mechanism; and Sirocco M micro swivel light, alongside existing popular ranges.

This sentiment is echoed by Piotr Nowaczyk, Export Manager at Modus.

“The Middle East is important because we can see that it is growing market, and we would like to introduce our uniforms to this market. We feel AIME is the ideal place to do this.”

Analysts from the Global Airline Passenger Communications System Market 2016-2020 forecast the communications system market to grow at a CAGR of 8.65% during the period 2016-2020, while the global IFEC market will be worth US$5.8 billion by 2020, according to research specialist MarketsandMarkets. The inflight IFEC pavilion will return to AIME with several new exhibitors including Latecoere and Pascall Electronics.

“Pascall Electronics are pleased to be exhibiting for the first time at AIME 2017,” said Phil Brace, IFEC and Airborne Power Solutions, Pascall Electronics Limited. “We decided to participate as we are expanding our focus in the ‘in-cabin power systems’ market beyond the conventional IFE and connectivity systems that we support today. The Middle East is important to us as it has been a region where our products have been used in a number of the premium airlines and LCCs. It is a growing market area, as more airlines offer BYOD [bring your own

device] IFE and connectivity services.”

Pascall Electronics plans to exhibit its capabilities as a supplier of custom power solutions for civil aerospace applications, and showcase nextgeneration high efficiency, lightweight power line-replaceable units focused on providing high power USB charging for customer PEDs.

Diehl Aerosystems works on joint solutions

Diehl Aerosystems will exhibit again at AIME/MRO Middle East in Dubai in February 2017, after the company’s debut at last year’s event turned out to be very successful. “We feel that this format of event is very suitable for certain market segments, such as the ones that we are addressing with our products and services for the after sales market,” said Diehl Aerosystems Vice President Communications and Public Relations David Voskuhl.

He continued: “The Middle East region enjoys our particular attention because aviation – and therefore demand for civil aerospace products – is growing here above the global average. For this reason we want to ensure appropriate visibility in the market place, for example by exhibiting at AIME/MRO Middle East 2017.”

At the AIME/MRO Middle East event, Diehl Aerosystems will display product samples for the cabin interiors retrofit market, such as a lavatory space cube and digital printwww.pax-intl.com | PAX INTERNATIONAL | 19

INTERIOR MRO REPORT ing technology for cabin lining.

The lavatory space cube is described as a space-saving solution for widebody aircraft. The footprint of the revolutionary Space3 module (78 inches by 52 inches) is based upon an existing center lavatory (52 by 52 or 76 by 44 inches). Through efficient use of available floor space, an arrangement of three full-size lavatories is combined in one compact module.

By means of intelligent design, all known options and amenities can be offered, while significantly improving the experience of passenger and crew, as well as increasing durability and robustness of the product, according to Diehl Aerosystems. In addition, as lavatory part commonality is more than 80% of parts, the availability of spare parts is increased.

The Space3 lavatory can be delivered in a traditional three-lavatory variant, as well as a PRM [person with reduced mobility] variant. The two lateral lavatories are then joined through a middle PRM door; the front doors open wide, to allow a passenger wheelchair comfortable access. This arrangement can save a further seating row (up to three seats), as compared to a classic single lateral PRM lavatory. For further customization and improved comfort, the single longitudinal lavatory can also be reconfigured as a changing room or stowage.

The Space3 lavatory provides further benefits through aircraft interface reduction, as all three lavatories can be supplied through a single interface bar, which is then distributed inside the lavatory. This not only simplifies installation and retrofit, but also line maintenance and allows quick removal in case of cabin refurbishing.

In 2015, Diehl Aerosystems forged a partnership with Regent Aerospace, the US-based cabin refurbishment specialist.

A second partnership was announced during April 2016’s Aircraft Interiors Expo with AMES, the Austrian engineering firm that is already active in the retrofit business. AMES, a provider of aerospace and mechanical engineering services with comprehensive certification capabilities, joined Diehl’s partner network for cabin retrofit and the refurbishment market. “Together, we keep working on joint solutions that we will offer in the marketplace 2017,” said Voskuhl.

With respect to other market segments and world regions, Diehl Aerosystems has boosted its market approach

most recently in the after sales market and in Asia. In the last quarter of 2016, Diehl Aerosystems established a fullscale subsidiary, called Diehl Aerospace Pte Ltd, in Singapore. The subsidiary’s prime task will initially be to take over the operational responsibility for Diehl’s Customer Support Center in the Asia Pacific region (CSC APAC) at the beginning of 2017. CSC APAC will complete the company’s global presence in that market segment, which also includes the CSC for the EMEA region, based in Toulouse, France, as well as the CSC Americas in Sterrett, Alabama, US. The year 2016 was dominated by many challenges, especially with OEMs ramping up production for their latest programs, such as the A350 XWB, noted Voskuhl.

And what does the company plan for 2017? Voskuhl explained: “We expect the focus for 2017 still to be on industrial and delivery performance including the supply chain further down the line, and the organizational optimization of all players in the industry. While very great news such as brand-new aircraft programs are very much down the line, in the foreseeable future we will work very hard on the work packages that we have already, as well as our approach to the cabin retrofit market.”

Boxmark opts for extravagance

During the AIME show, leather interior specialist Boxmark is set to showcase for the very first time in Dubai its Luxury Traveller, which is Boxmark is showcasing at AIME a luxurious sofa for aircraft, created in co-operation with the internationally renowned designer Jacques Pierrejean

20 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

a plush sofa for aircraft, created in co-operation with the internationally renowned designer Jacques Pierrejean.

“The Luxury Traveller offers sophisticated air passengers an extraordinary amount of space, incomparable comfort and numerous extravagant features,” enthused Christian Schober, Boxmark’s sales manager for aircraft interiors. “The finest leather and high quality materials are processed at Boxmark with diligent skill and guarantee a stylish atmosphere in the First Class sections as well as in business and private jets,” he added.

Boxmark will also show its new F/ LIST leather flooring, developed in a partnership between Boxmark and F/ LIST. The real leather surface is optimized to meet high scratch, abrasion and slip resistance requirements, and a stringent qualification program ensures that the flooring meets customer requirements. However, as Schober notes, the real advantage of the flooring is that over time it develops “a rich texture that looks beautiful lived in, developing a patina rather than looking worn, enriching the style and charisma of the aircraft cabin.” Customization possibilities include square or round tiles, inlay work, marquetry and embossing.

Furthermore, in a future development, Boxmark is seeking to launch a new leather product called Duke. The big benefit of this product is that it will be available in 55 colors on stock already flame treated for aircraft application, in a very short lead-time, he said.

The Middle East aircraft interiors market is very large and grows several

INTERIOR MRO REPORT Boxmark’s new F/LIST leather flooring, developed in a partnership between Boxmark and F/LIST, is a real leather surface, which is optimized to meet high scratch, abrasion and slip resistance requirements

percent a year, and is clearly a growth market for Boxmark over the coming years, according to Schober. “The carriers of this region has been played a leading role when it comes to offering the latest in comfort and innovation for passengers. Therefore the Middle East market is one of the most important markets for Boxmark, because there are some big airlines, where we already deliver our products or where we are in contact to build up a co-operation,” he said.

In 2017, Boxmark is already lining up different projects for Economy and Business Class seats for airlines as well as for some refurbishment projects for business and private jets. “The Middle East market will have a big influence on our business,” he concluded.

AIM Altitude flies high with new facility AIM Altitude designs, manufactures, certifies, and maintains ciples, shortening throughput times by reducing the discabin interiors for the world’s major airlines on Airbus, Boeing tance parts travel in manufacturing, improving the line-side and other OEMs’ aircraft. parts storage, shortening communications between departThe Middle East is AIM Altitude’s most important regional ments and improving visual management of projects. market and Emirates is the company’s biggest customer. This A customer experience area has also been introduced. fact was amply highlighted recently when Sir Tim Clark, PresiThis showcase area allows customers to visit AIM Altitude dent of Emirates, officially opened AIM Altitude’s new purposeand see existing products in a dedicated space, as well as built facility at Bournemouth Airport on December 19, 2016. a demonstration area where customers can see their products The opening ceremony was attended by Mahmood Ameen as they develop. and Nadir Bhola, Senior Vice President Engineering Projects The market-leading products and services of AIM Altiand Manager Engineering Projects of Emirates; Peer Wiebe, tude include premium customized monuments, social Vice President of Airbus; members of the Chinese Embassy spaces, bars, galleys and stowages, composite compo(AIM Altitude is owned by China-based AVIC International); nents and a full-service product support capability. and around 400 members of staff from AIM Altitude.

AIM Altitude began working with Emirates in 2003 The ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of the and, following a very successful project on its 777 air168,000 square foot facility, which brings the whole of AIM craft, progressed to undertaking projects for the airline’s Altitude’s Cabin Interiors division into one building and also A380 aircraft, namely the iconic lounge on the upper serves as the headquarters of the AIM Altitude group.

Mark Edwards, CEO of AIM Altitude, said: “We were delighted to be able to welcome such esteemed guests to our new facility and we are very grateful to Sir Tim Clark for his role in the official opening. This also provided the opportunity to thank our staff for their hard work over the past year and we hope that the new facility will aid them in continuing to create world-leading cabin interiors.”

The state-of-the-art factory encompasses new machinery, including an additional paint-and-bake booth, to bring the total to four painting booths, and a fully integrated preparation area, serving both paint and trim. The layout of the new shop floor facilitates process flow, with an open, flexible, main assembly area allowing product programs to be changed quickly if required. Key production leaders, production controllers and the qualPictured from left to right at the opening of AIM Altitude’s new headquarters at Bournemouth Airport, UK, are Mark Edwards, CEO, AIM Altitude; Mahmood ity team have also been integrated into production cells.

Ameen, Senior Vice President Engineering Projects, Emirates; Sir Tim The whole facility has been built on lean prinClark, President of Emirates; and Peer Wiebe, Vice President, Airbus

22 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

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INTERIOR MRO REPORT

The Qatar Airways A380 Lounge was designed

by AIM Altitude to promote elegance, contemporary styling and cultural details, using advanced technical construction methods

deck and the upscale bar in the First Class area.

Today, the Middle East represents a significant part of A IM Altitude’s business, according to Vice President Corporate Accounts Chris Whetter. Qatar Airways is also a major customer, as the company has created interiors for its 787 and A350 and A380 aircraft – with the latter boasting an “amazing social space”, he said.

In addition, AIM Altitude is involved in projects for many other airlines in the region, including Etihad, Oman Air, Kuwait Airways, and has developed galleys and bars for Saudi Arabian Airlines. The company continues to take on customers both large and small in the region because of the high quality of the company’s work, said Whetter.

Developed by AIM Altitude for the upper deck of Emirates’ A380 aircraft, the Onboard Lounge welcomes patrons in a Chameleon warmwood finishes and extensive lighting features

24 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

In terms of demand, more airline customers are opting for branded panels on the bulkheads in both Business and First Class, one of AIM Altitude’s specialties.

Whetter cited the “Emirates factor” – which successfully created Dubai as a highly competitive hub airport in the region – as one of the reasons for the booming Middle East market, where even a small aircraft can cost US$10 million to fit out.

AIM Altitude is a global company headquartered in the UK, with bases in New Zealand, the Middle East, and North America. It is owned by leading Chinese multinational aviation company, AVIC International Holding Corporation. AVIC International’s mission is to develop overseas markets for the civilian aviation industry and expand international investment.

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COMPANY PROFILE: LEKI AVIATION

Leki Aviation’s Cobalt Spectrum Mood Light System

Solution-based service Leki Aviation will be placing a greater focus on the repair capabilities of its sister company, 25+ Repair Centre this year

W

ith 2017 now underway, Leki Aviation is gearing up for what the company anticipates will be an exciting year, one that will strengthen its service concept further to offer greater support to its customers for each of its services.

“In particular, we will be branching out our repair station and establish a new facility,” says Peter Kjeldsen, Executive Vice President of Leki Aviation. “We are currently undergoing the certification, and are expecting to be ready by the middle of 2017, at which time we will make an announcement regarding the location and capabilities.”

With headquarters in Copenhagen and seven offices worldwide, Leki Aviation specializes in the supply and distribution of aircraft parts, interiors, components and rotables to the global aviation industry. The scope of the company’s offering is wide and includes a new 25+ Repair Centre in the United Kingdom. Through its unique service concept called CoMMS (Consolidated Material Management Solution), Leki Aviation provides customers with access to spares for the support of their Airbus, Boeing and regional fleet of aircraft, throughout the entire life cycle.

Since celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2015, Leki Aviation has seen tremendous growth and a broader adaptation of its services among its customers. “We are seeing an immense appreciation and understanding of how our services combined can support our customers throughout the entire life cycle of their aircraft,” says Kjeldsen. “The increase in

For more than 25 years, Leki Aviation has been providing personalized services aimed at supporting its customers throughout the entire life cycle of their aircraft, and plans to further strengthen its service concept and repair support in 2017 by MELISSA SILVA demand is driven by the requirement of enhancing the vertical integration and consolidation for the operational support of the fleet operated by our customers in order for them to simplify their supply chain management to improve planning and reliable support.

“Hence, we are very pleased with the performance and the value that we have been able to bring to our customers.”

Last year saw each of Leki Aviation’s business segments perform above expectation. Kjeldsen attributes the performance to the greater adaptation and implementation of the company’s services with its global pool of customers.

“We are very pleased with this development and, most importantly, our customers have expressed great appreciation and satisfaction with our services and the value each has provided.”

Leki Aviation’s Cobalt Spectrum Mood Light System also performed well over the last year, surpassing the company’s expectations. “The operators who have chosen the system have really appreciated its flexibility and our ability to modify the system to individual customer requirements in the most efficient way possible,” says Kjeldsen.

When PAX International last caught up with Leki Aviation, Kjeldsen mentioned observing an increase in the operation of older fleet of aircraft.

Today, a year later, Kjeldsen sees this trend ongoing, and more specifically growing, because of the economic advantages it presents and the ability to quickly re-engineer aircraft interiors.

“One of the main benefits of going

26 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

ahead with cabin upgrades is that the operator, within a relatively short time frame, will be able to offer passengers an experience similar to a new aircraft, but with limited capital investment,” he adds.

Another trend that has, according to Kjeldsen, gained more and more focus over the last year, is the efforts operators are putting forth to increase the customer experience and differentiate themselves with unique and upgraded cabins. “In our case, we are positioning ourselves to support this requirement even further through 2017, by adding more innovative solutions to our product offerings,” he says.

At this year’s Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) exhibition and conference, which is co-located with MRO Middle East in Dubai, Kjeldsen says Leki Aviation will be focusing on all of its services, with a particular emphasis on its repair capabilities of sister company, 25+ Repair Centre. “We are looking forward to the exhibition and all the people we will meet.”

Peter Kjeldsen, Executive Vice President of Leki Aviation

AIRLINE PROFILE

The Lantal team at the opening of the new flammability testing lab left to right: Peter Kämpfer Executive Vice President Markets, Dr. Urs Rickenbacher Chief Executive Officer, Susanne Busch (Director Test Lab), Heiko Nüssel Executive Vice President Compliance and Certification / Managing Director Lab at Abu Dhabi

New

capabilities

by RICK LUNDSTROM

The engineering arm of Etihad Airways is working with a leading supplier of aviation textiles to create a new capability for the airline, and third party customers to meet important flammability test regulations

F

ar in the shadows of the sprawling building project that is Abu Dhabi Airport’s Midfield Terminal, the Emirate’s infrastructure is beefing up in small ways for a future that will place the region in the heart of commercial aviation and its constant demands for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul.

In a corner of the Etihad Airways Engineering facility adjacent AUH, two partners have opened the first flammability test laboratory in the Middle East and this year will be busy testing cabin interior products for flammability, toxicity, heat release, seat cushion burn and smoke. The testing is important to airlines like Etihad, which are growing quickly and constantly modifying and changing airline cabin materials.

In the past, Etihad Airways had to send materials to the labs at Lantal, the industry’s major supplier of aviation textile products, for testing at its busy flammability lab at its headquarters in Switzerland. Now, through a partnership with Lantal, testing can be done closer to home in accordance with Air Regulations FAR / CS 25.853.

“We have a significant market share in

Europe and our new lab in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with Etihad Airways Engineering, will now bring our service closer to our customers in the Middle East,” said Dr. Urs Rickenbacher, Chief Executive Officer at Lantal, at the opening of the new flammability lab at the end of November of last year.

For Etihad, the opening of the lab will mean that one of its steady suppliers will be much closer and give the airline the ability to speed up testing projects. Already, the engineering arm of Etihad Airways operates one of the largest MRO operations in the region.

Etihad Engineering offers line, light and heavy maintenance services, including: design, advanced composite repair, cabin reconfiguration, trim and finish upgrade, avionics upgrade, IFE changes, connectivity installation, component services and technical training, from its facility.

Officials at the airline approached Lantal’s Heiko Nüssel two years ago, with the idea of locating some flammability-testing equipment in Abu Dhabi.

In addition to being Executive Vice President Compliance and Certification at Lantal, Nüssel is also Head of Design Organization EASA.21J.392 /

GCAA DOA/174 at the Swiss company.

“Etihad is one of our biggest customers,” Nüssel tells PAX International.

As part of the agreements, Lantal is renting space at Etihad Engineering hangar. Lantal plans to seek out third party work from airlines in the area looking for flammability testing with short lead times. Lantal is also working with a partner company in Abu Dhabi and put a small group of employees through rigorous training in Switzerland before the opening of the lab.

Nüssel says Lantal performs anywhere from 5,000 to 6,000 tests per year at its facilities in Langenthal, Switzerland.

Much of the work at Langenthal is related to the company’s own fabrics and carpet material, said Nüssel; however, Lantal is also certified as a third-party testing facility equipped to perform all relevant airworthiness tests for interior components. The company’s brochure lists nearly 20 customers, among them Air France, Finnair, and Etihad. Seat makers Sicma, B/E Aerospace and Recaro also use the company’s services, as well as galley equipment manufacturers like Buche Leichtbau and engineering companies like Turkish Technic.

www.pax-intl.com | PAX INTERNATIONAL | 27

AIRLINE PROFILE

Lantal does testing in a variety of methods using burners like the one in Abu Dhabi

Like Europe, Nüssel said he has been impressed with the cooperation he has seen between Middle East airlines that are traditionally competitors. Jeff Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways Engineering, said the company’s capabilities in third party maintenance would be enhanced with the addition of a shop for flammability testing.

“We offer industry leading aircraft maintenance and engineering solutions to customers from all over the world and for all major commercial aircraft types,” he said. “Through our partnership with Lantal, it is now easier and faster for aviation customers in the region to access world class flammability testing at our facility in Abu Dhabi.”

Time is of the essence for an airline that is growing and changing interior products as often as Etihad.

Wilkinson said modification with burn testing approval from any outside lab could sometimes take up to three weeks to achieve certification.

“This time frame is not acceptable when the aircraft is in the hangar for maintenance and there is the opportunity to carry out a cabin modification as well (with additional activities),” he said. “Having the lab in house means that we have more control of the time it takes for certifying the modification.

“The whole certification process can now be achieved within a few days.”

Wilkinson estimates that in the 400-square-foot lab, Etihad will conduct up to 400 vertical burn tests and 50 full-scale seat burn tests in the course of a year. In addition, he said

Etihad Engineering has already carried out testing for operators based in the Middle East and Asia. In a given year, he said the company does 60% of its engineering and design activities for third-party operators.

While flammability testing has become and important and lucrative part of its business, Lantal is primarily known as manufacturer of textiles, cushioning and cut and sew operations. Lantal’s products are found on nearly 350 airlines around the world’s aircraft cabins with seat fabric, carpeting and curtains. In addition to flammability testing, Lantal

conducts carpet wear test, peel test, abrasion resistance, electrostatic propensities, pilling, colorfastness, perspiration, dry cleaning and rubbing at the company’s plant in Switzerland.

Shortly before the company opened the flammability testing plant in Abu Dhabi, Lantal set up another shop in Frankfurt, which specializes refurbishment and reconfiguration of airline seating. Currently, Nüssel said the operation has more than 10,000 seats from many of the major manufacturers. Lantal receives the seating in Frankfurt where it receives painting and dress covers and an EASA certification before it is placed in inventory. The goal of the facility, said Nüssel, is to have a place where airlines or aircraft leasing companies can quickly fill shortterm demands should an aircraft need and extra row of seating.

The partnership with Lantal fits in well with Etihad’s overall strategy for growing its business. Over the past several years, the airline has taken on equity airline partners that have strengthened revenues and delivered synergy benefits, said the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan in a recent keynote address at the annual Global Airfinance Conference in Dublin. Etihad now has minority investments in six airlines.

A heat release chamber (left) and smoke emission chamber (right)

28 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

COMPANY PROFILE

LOOKING

to the

FUTURE

STELIA Aerospace is putting innovation and passenger well-being at the heart of its latest product developments in Business and First Class cabins

by MARY JANE PITTILLA

W

ith a range of artisan-fabricated seats, STELIA Aerospace places passengers experience at the heart of its designs whether seeking comfort in efficiency or enveloping a traveler that’s aboard for the long haul.

From the ‘cocooning’ Celeste to the efficient Equinox, the firm holds to the belief there is a solution for every airline and aircraft. Its best-selling Solstys and Solstys III offer one of the widest and longest beds on the market, while Opal – the latest addition to its portfolio – through innovative industrial design can be extensively customized and provide more revenue paying passengers (two to four additional passengers).

Meanwhile, the company’s Ultimate 17 First Class platform provides “unparalleled luxury”, it notes, and has been selected by two new customers in 2016.

“Our ability to manage highly customized programs with 100% reliability is a quality that is always valuable for our customers,” says the company.

“Awarded by Airbus for the third year running as best performing (BFE) seat supplier is something we at STELIA Aerospace are very proud of as we strive every day exceed our clients’ expectations. This reliability and performance is equally recognized by our customers who choose STELIA Aerospace time and again for their premium cabin needs.”

Key figures

STELIA Aerospace offers global solutions for aeronautical manufacturers

STELIA launched the Opal seat at last year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo

and airlines. The company designs towards the next generation passenger and produces aerostructures, pilot experience,” STELIA Aerospace says. seats and Business and First Class “Having been the first to patent the passenger seats. With a turnover of use of vertical space in the cabin with €2.1 billion (US$2.2 billion) in 2016 our highly efficiency Equinox family of and more than 6,500 employees seats, they are turning towards a more worldwide, STELIA Aerospace delivholistic view of the passenger experience. ers 2,000 passenger seats annually, Researching and combining technologies with more than 11,000 in service. from diverse fields to create a wellThe company currently has has more being bubble, our SeatZen concept is than 40 airline clients worldwide, includ- extended to a fully immersive passenger ing Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, experience for First Class passengers.”

Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, and Royal The Opal Business Class seat is Air Maroc, as well as AerCap, one of the the latest addition to its portfolio. world’s largest aircraft leasing companies. Launched at the Hamburg AIX Expo STELIA Aerospace has boasted 100% 2016, Opal has been designed for on time delivery since 2007, which it efficiency and through innovative attributes to its global sales and supindustrial design can be extensively port networks that operate round the customized while meeting customers’ clock. The company has internal and program constraints: 3D curves (a key external partners in Seattle, Miami, differentiator for STELIA Aerospace), Rochefort (France), Dubai, Abu Dhabi, new technologies (polycarbonate outer Bangkok, Singapore, and Beijing. skins allowing injected color and posAt the AIME 2017 show in Dubai, sible laser printing decoration) and STELIA Aerospace can be found additional 15% weight reduction. at booth number 152C within the French Pavilion. On display will be The Celeste seat from the Celeste, its innovative medium STELIA are built for haul seat for single aisle platforms. medium With customers in three regions, haul flights and deliveries starting early 2017, the sleek futuristic seat is designed with a unique swinging cradle recline motion, according to the company.

What about future developments in the seating sphere? It’s clear that passenger well-being continues to be a priority. “In addition to the innovative Celeste seat, our engineers are working www.pax-intl.com | PAX INTERNATIONAL | 29

WHAT’S HOT

WHAT’S

HOT!  Lease-end Transitioning Services (LETS) – SR Technics: Developed in cooperation with Aviation Cosmetics, Lease-end Transitioning Services (LETS) from SR Technics is a novel set of services, developed in response to an increasing demand among leasing companies for one-stop-shop solutions designed with aircraft changes of ownership in mind. The services are available for the A319, A320 and A321 aircraft at the SR Technics Malta facility and as single integrator for the A330 and A340 aircraft, as well as for the 777 at the company’s Zurich facility. To learn more, visit www.srtechnics.com Visit SR Technics at AIME/MRO Dubai, booth no. 713

 Smart Lock and Cool Catering Equipment – Zodiac Aerospace: Smart Lock and Cool Trolley solutions from Zodiac Aerospace are two apt solutions for improving operational efficiency. Smart Lock solutions provide controlled access, capturing insightful data and providing transparency and security to airlines. The CoolTrolley focuses in thermodynamic efficiency, which maximizes the potential of dry ice or cooling cassettes, keeping contents between 0 and 8°C for up to 14 hours.

Visit Zodiac Aerospace at AIME/MRO Dubai, booth no. 113

 Gogo 2Ku – Gogo: Outperforming competing solutions in capacity, performance, cost, coverage and reliability, 2Ku is Gogo’s next-generation satellite technology for global inflight connectivity. Using Ku-band satellites to deliver streaming video Wi-Fi speeds to passengers, Gogo’s 2Ku technology is designed to be open, making it compatible with multiple satellite networks, which means the technology will be upgradeable over time without having to touch the aircraft. To learn more, visit www.gogoair.com Visit Gogo at AIME/MRO Dubai, booth no. 930

 Airtime Content-to-Go – Global Eagle Entertainment: With Content-to-Go from Global Eagle Entertainment, passengers can now personalize their inflight entertainment shortly after booking their flight. Choosing from a premium catalog, passengers download popular movies, TV shows, newspapers and magazines to their devices to enjoy while inflight. For the airline, Content-to-Go requires no onboard hardware, deploys quickly and can be delivered standalone or embedded into their existing IFE app. It also integrates with reservation systems to securely manage the content-viewing window.

30 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

THE DESTINATION FOR THE AIRCRAFT INTERIORS INDUSTRY. Aircraft Interiors Expo 2017 4-6 April 2017, Hamburg Messe, Germany Aircraft Interiors Expo is the world’s market leader event dedicated to airlines and the supply chain to source the latest innovations, technologies and products for the cabin interiors, inflight entertainment, connectivity and passenger comfort industries.

Register online for your FREE place today www.aircraftinteriorsexpo.com

SAVE THE DATE

4-6

Co-located with:

Organised by:

In co-operation with:

APRIL 2017

Supported by:

WHAT’S HOT  PAVES™ Wireless IFE system – Rockwell Collins: Offering a cost-effective solution that delivers a broad range of content directly to passenger’s personal devices, Rockwell Collins’ PAVES™ Wireless integrates with any connectivity solution — L-band to Ka-band — to enhance the entertainment experience.

The system delivers a consistent high level of performance, even in high-density environments, and can stream to 300+ passenger devices simultaneously. Content can be easily selected and deployed using the cloud-based content management tool. Learn more at rockwellcollins.com/PAVES. Visit Rockwell Collins at AIME/MRO Dubai, booth no. 830

 Digital printing technology – Diehl Aerosystems: With the demand for civil aerospace products growing substantially in the Middle East, Diehl Aerosystems wants to ensure appropriate visibility in this market place by exhibiting at the AIME/MRO event in Dubai. On display, Diehl Aerosystems will have product samples for the cabin interiors retrofit market, such as a smart galley concept and digital printing technology for cabin lining (digital printing pictured here is not identical to what will be on display in Dubai).

Visit Diehl Aerosystems at AIME/MRO Dubai, booth no. 259

 Chair, the VIP seating solution – BOXMARK: Chair has been developed and certified by Lufthansa Technik in cooperation with Pierrejean Design Studio. The customizable Chair skeleton offers a perfect backbone for any advanced aesthetic design. INAIRVATION©, a Joint Venture between F/LIST and Lufthansa Technik, will coordinate production and sales of the Chair aircraft seat, while BOXMARK will handle the upholstery.

Visit BOXMARK at AIME/MRO Dubai, booth no. 501

 Adagio Business Class seat – Aviointeriors: The Adagio Business Class seat from Aviointeriors is a premium, high-density seat with a design concept that can be altered in size for various markets. The Adagio seat covers FC/PBC/HDPBC and PE markets with one original design. The seat offers 100% access for all passengers and a flatbed, plus a density of eight passengers abreast on a 777 and 787, seven passengers abreast on an A330 in the HDPBC role, plus 3-2 configuration for a 737 and A320 narrow-body configuration with 100% aisle access.

The seat was designed alongside Tangerine, a renowned London-based design company with vast experience in aircraft seating design, having developed new seat concepts for some of the world’s leading airlines.

Visit Aviointeriors at AIME/MRO Dubai, booth no. 359

32 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

WHAT’S HOT

 Internet ONAIR – SITAONAIR: SITAONAIR’S personalized, interactive Internet ONAIR connection provides airline passengers with the seamless and simple groundto-air internet access and experience they demand. This year, airlines will also receive added value through Internet ONAIR’S advertising server — airlines will be able to use the advertising platform to publicize latest offers directly to customers, build customer relationships through promotions, and generate revenue through advertising sponsors.

Find out more at www.sitaonair.aero/user-solutions/passenger/ Visit SITAONAIR at AIME/MRO Dubai, booth no. 842

 EMPOWER® USB “UltraLite” System – Astronics: The EMPOWER® USB “UltraLite” System from Astronics is an innovative passenger In-Seat Power System (ISPS) architecture that provides high power USB (HPUSB) using zonal power converters. This architecture eliminates the traditional seat-mounted power supply. The result is a system providing lower cost, lower weight, and less impact on the passenger when compared to traditional seat-based architectures. Aircraft generated 115VAC power is converted to 28VDC for distribution to the seat groups using zone-based DC Power Supplies units. Astronics High Power Outlet Units convert the 28VDC power to 5VDC USB power at 2.1 Amps continuous for the passenger PED. Visit Astronics at AIME/MRO Dubai, booth no. 836

 Aviation Business Consultants – RwandAir Decorative Crest: ABC International’s latest product is a Decorative Crest for RwandAir. Installed in Business Class on RwandAir’s A330-200 9XR-WN, the crest was developed using anodized aluminum and resin to give the airline’s logo a 3-D effect. ABC International selected resin to meet the longstanding preference by airlines for lightweight materials.

 Ultraleather® Promessa® – Tapis: Promessa®, the most durable of the Ultraleather products from Tapis, is lightweight, offering 46% reduction or over 385 pounds per A/C to provide long-haul comfort, as well as heat and moisture management. Hygienic and easy to clean, Promessa® is easy to maintain, while also being eco-friendly, animal friendly, non-toxic and allergy-free.

Offering superior durability — product life exceeds that of leather and bonded leather — Promessa® is performance engineered, so there is no risk of de-lamination.

www.pax-intl.com | PAX INTERNATIONAL | 33

EVENT COVERAGE

Monty’s Bakehouse developed a Chinese Barbecue Style Chicken Savory Pastry packed in a convenient hand-held ovenable box

dsi Foods’ entry of Chicken Tikka Masala won a Mercury Award for best Economy Class product

Mercury marks

35 years The industry’s iconic awards competition took classic tastes at the top of the winner boards at the 2016 SIAL event in Abu Dhabi

L

eaders in the inflight-catering industry were honored at the 35th annual Mercury Awards, part of SIAL 2016, at a glittering award ceremony held December 5 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat al Beri in Abu Dhabi.

The chicken classics had the judges’ taste buds tingling. A specially designed pastry used in the Chinese Barbecue Style Chicken Savory Pastry packed in a convenient hand-held ovenable box was and entry from Monty’s Bakehouse in the Food Product – Snack category. The taste and quality of the Chicken Tikka Masala by dsi Foods was a winning example of a classic dish — simple, tasty and elegantly presented.

Etihad Airways was recognized for a textured dessert in the Airline Meal – Premium Class category; Qantas Airways won the award for Service Concept – Economy Class for their Qantas International Dining experience, while Qatar Airways’ Super Food Salad won the Service Concept – Premium Class.

The Best Beverage award was won

by Italian coffee maker Caffe di Artisan; best Food Product - Sweet, was won by the Lithuanian ice cream producer, AB Klaipedos; and best Food Product – Snack, awarded to U.K. supplier, Monty’s Bakehouse.

“Classics never go out of fashion and chicken is a staple for many travelers, it’s always incredibly popular,” said

Joanne Cook, Managing Director, SIAL Middle East. Organizers say the judging panel of independent experts were impressed by the innovative products and the advances companies are making in this highly competitive sector.

The Mercury Awards capped off the opening day of 2016 edition of SIAL Middle East, which opened on Monday, December 5.

Inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister

of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, the awards took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until December 7, and were organized in strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA).

The judging for La Cuisine by SIAL, organized by the Emirates Culinary Guild of Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the World Association of Chefs’ Societies, was held the final day of evaluation.

Winners of 2016 Mercury Awards AIRLINE MEAL - ECONOMY Company: dsi Foods Title of Entry: Chicken Tikka Masala with Pea Pulao & Daal Tadka

FOOD PRODUCT – SWEET Company: AB Klaipedos Title of Entry: Dione Premium Ice Cream Bar

AIRLINE MEAL – PREMIUM CLASS Company: Etihad Airways Title of Entry: Textured Dessert

BEVERAGE Company: Caffe di Artisan Title of Entry: Ultimate FoodTech Coffee Disruption

SERVICE CONCEPT – ECONOMY CLASS Company: Qantas Airways Title of Entry: Qantas International Dining Experience

EQUIPMENT – PRODUCTION Company: Malton Title of Entry: Ministro Vacuum Flask

SERVICE CONCEPT – PREMIUM CLASS Company: Qatar Airways Title of Entry: Super Food Salad

EQUIPMENT – PASSENGER Company: Faerch Plast Title of Entry: Airline Modular Concept

FOOD PRODUCT - SNACK Company: Monty’s Bakehouse Title of Entry: Chinese BBQ Style Chicken Savoury Pastry

TWO HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARDS Company: Kaelis Title of Entry: Improved Coat Check-In System

FOOD PRODUCT – SAVOURY Company: Source Food – Green Gourmet Title of Entry: Sweet Potato Fries

34 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

Company: Malaysia Airlines Title of Entry: Salmon dish - Superfoods

Many years of experience and expertise have made Diehl Aerosystems a leading supplier in the fields of high-quality floor-to-floor cabin interiors, lavatories, galleys, water and air management, fire protection as well as creative and effective lighting and avionics. Our goal is to provide you with innovative solutions that will make aircraft cabins an even more enjoyable place to be for everyone involved.

Visit us at the AIME, booth 259.

s rior e t n tI t craf le Eas r i A idd ry M Fe b r u a 8-9 2017