LAKE FOREST, Calif. - Panasonic Avionics Corp has been chosen by AirAsia to equip its aircraft with Panasonic's FlightLink aircraft tracking and flight deck communications system. In addition, Panasonic will provide AirAsia with the new AirMap suite of products, enabling Aeronautical Operation Control (AOC) fleet communications, management, and aircraft tracking.

Initially, FlightLink is to be installed on 90 of Air Asia's Airbus A320s to ensure that the aircraft are connected to the airline's ground operations 24 hours a day.

Anaz Tajuddin, AirAsia Group Head of Engineering, said, "Given our unique route structure, we needed a single supplier that could provide both the hardware and service needed to maintain constant contact with our aircraft everywhere we fly. Ensuring the highest level of safety and operational efficiency is our top priority and Panasonic's FlightLink service was the best choice for ubiquitous communications and flight tracking our fleet of A320s."

FlightLink uses Iridium's global satellite-based communications system to support flight deck voice and data communication, as well as autonomous GPS-based flight tracking, in all areas that AirAsia flies. In addition, the system provides fully integrated data communications for the aircraft's ACARS system and Electronic Flight Bags.

AirAsia is also installing Panasonic's Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting (TAMDAR) atmospheric sensor, which enables improved flight planning and situational display of atmospheric conditions, including icing and turbulence.

Panasonic Avionics CEO Paul Margis said, "Our decade-old vision of the connected aircraft has become a reality. This collaboration with a forward-looking airline like AirAsia is the proof of the business and safety improvement potential of our suite of services. Together, we're ensuring constant situational awareness and communications with AirAsia's aircraft -- no matter where they fly."

Margis added, "This is a perfect example of how an airline can look to us to satisfy their critical communications and situational awareness needs, while concurrently improving their operational safety and efficiency. Panasonic is uniquely positioned to offer both the hardware and service provision of Iridium's satellite communications."

Panasonic has partnered in this program with UTC Aerospace Systems, which is supplying key enabling components to the EFB installation on the aircraft, including the onboard Aircraft Interface Device (AID), Tablet Interface Modules (TIM), and associated EFB mounting hardware and brackets.

Source: Panasonic Avionics Corp