Aviation360 MEA

Panasonic Avionics and Saudia have signed an agreement for the installation of the Astrova seat-end solution on up to 30 of its aircraft.

With Astrova, Panasonic Avionics’ next-generation IFE seat-end solution, airlines will have more opportunities to interact with their customers and reinvent the function of seatback IFE. The deal will include the upgrade of Astrova on 30 of Saudia’s widebody aircraft, including 12 Airbus A330s and 18 Boeing 777s.

With the aid of industry-leading 4K OLED screens from Astrova, Saudia’s visitors will be able to enjoy a fully immersive experience. These screens also guarantee the best picture quality and the highest quality audio thanks to Panasonic Avionics’ most recent Bluetooth technology.

Every passenger will have access to up to 100 W of direct current power through USB-C at their seat, enabling them to quickly charge any smartphone, tablet, and around 90% of laptops in use today. The newest IFE seat-end solution from Panasonic Avionics includes customizable LED lighting as well, which will improve the passenger experience and let SAUDIA optimize the cabin environment.

This new system is made to stay at the forefront of consumer trends and in-flight entertainment products and services throughout its lifecycle. Saudia has reaffirmed its commitment to offering best-in-class services. In order to fulfill shifting market demands and guests’ ever-rising expectations, key hardware and software components have been created to adapt over time. This makes it possible for visitors to create the same omnichannel, multiscreen, multipurpose experience they are used to at home by always being able to effortlessly connect their personal devices to the IFE system.

This agreement feeds into Saudia’s passion for driving innovation and sustainability-focused initiatives, as Astrova offers significant weight savings compared to other seat-end architectures, which will help reduce fuel burn.

Ken Sain, CEO of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, said: “We are delighted to sign this agreement with our longstanding customer, SAUDIA. The installation of Astrova on their wide-body fleet indicates the airline’s commitment not only to sustainability, but also to its customers and the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision.

“Astrova provides Saudia with an innovative IFE solution that will enhance engagement with its passengers and is easy to upgrade without full or costly interior changes.”

Additionally, Saudia’s top MRO, Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI), and Panasonic Avionics are collaborating to build IFE repair capabilities in the Kingdom. To accelerate growth and gain access to tried-and-true best practices, it is essential to leverage strategic ties with reliable partners like Panasonic Avionics. By strengthening SAEI’s repair capabilities, educating its personnel, and introducing cutting-edge technology, Panasonic Avionics will work with SAEI to support the Kingdom and SAUDIA’s localization goals.

Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, said: “At Saudia, we are constantly looking to improve the guest experience onboard our aircraft, by investing in new technologies and upgrading our systems. Thanks to this partnership with Astrova, our guests will be able to experience the best of in-flight entertainment, with more personalisable features, making their journey with us truly memorable.”

“As SAEI expands, their commitment to localisation continues to grow as they collaborate with several companies to enhance the capabilities of their technicians. Panasonic Avionics’ work with SAEI will be instrumental to the local market, as it will open up jobs for Saudis while providing repair capabilities not only in the Kingdom but to the MENA region as a whole. In addition, this partnership contributes to the Nartaqi programme, which is an initiative by Saudia aimed at driving localisation by supporting the greater use of local suppliers and local businesses whilst providing quality jobs, training and development opportunities for Saudi nationals.”