Star Alliance Partners Lufthansa and Swiss Sign EFB Deals With Global Eagle
Agreement Initially Covers Lufthansa’s New Fleet of A320s and Swiss International’s Global Fleet of 70+ Aircraft
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 09, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Eagle Entertainment Inc., (Nasdaq:ENT) (“GEE”) a worldwide provider of aircraft connectivity systems, operations solutions and media content to the travel industry, today announced that Star Alliance partners Lufthansa Airlines (Lufthansa) and Swiss International Air Lines Ltd. (Swiss) selected GEE Navaero electronic flight bag (EFB) solutions, affirming GEE’s leading position in cockpit data integration and EFB mounting systems for Apple iPad and Microsoft Surface devices.
Lufthansa, Europe’s largest airline and a new GEE Navaero customer, will equip at least 31 new Airbus A320 aircraft with GEE’s new power data interface (PDI), smart docking stations, and other interfaces for Microsoft Surface tablets that put mission-critical flight data at the fingertips of pilots and ground crews. The GEE Navaero solution meets Lufthansa’s requirement for a full gigabit Ethernet data connection aboard its new aircraft. Swiss will utilize GEE Navaero EFB mounts and data integration solutions across more than 70 Airbus short- and long-haul aircraft as it deploys Apple iPads for mission-critical applications and transitions to a fully paperless cockpit. GEE will also provide certification, deployment and support services.
Lufthansa and Swiss selected GEE Navaero EFB solutions based on GEE’s success and proven reliability on other Star Alliance member airlines, including Austrian Airlines, Adria Airways, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, United Airlines and Edelweiss. GEE Navaero specializes in avionics integration and EFB solutions that capture, structure and visualize aircraft information. GEE’s EFB solutions are installed on more than 3,700 aircraft worldwide, transforming critical and non-critical aircraft data into vital information that supports pilots and operations managers.
“The reliable nature of the Navaero EFB solutions provides a flexible platform that will enable us to integrate the cockpit and airline operations into our comprehensive vision for inflight connectivity,” said Martin Mohr, EFB Project Leader for Lufthansa Airlines. “We look forward to reaping the benefits of our move to GEE’s Navaero EFB solution for years to come.”
“By deploying GEE’s proven Navaero EFB across the global Swiss International Air Lines fleet, we have taken a major step forward to a fully paperless environment on our Airbus fleet and prepare for a fully connected aircraft,” said Elena Zanaboni, Project Manager for Swiss International Air Lines Ltd. “We look forward to working with GEE in the months ahead as we implement our EFB solution.”
“These strategic agreements mark important milestones for GEE, Lufthansa and Swiss. GEE Navaero provides data integration, cockpit power and panel mounting solutions that transform Apple iPad and Microsoft Surface devices into full EFB solutions,” explained Simone Giordano, president GEE Navaero. “GEE Navaero helps airlines migrate to the latest digital cockpit capabilities and leverage real-time information. Lufthansa and Swiss will utilize our EFB to elevate their overall operations on the ground and in the sky.”
About Global Eagle Entertainment (GEE)
Global Eagle Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq:ENT) is a worldwide provider of aircraft connectivity systems, operations solutions and media content to the travel industry. Through the industry’s most comprehensive product and services platform, Global Eagle Entertainment provides airlines with a wide range of in-flight solutions. These include Wi-Fi, movies, television, music, interactive software, as well as portable IFE solutions, content management services, e-commerce solutions and original content development. Serving more than 200 airlines worldwide, Global Eagle Entertainment delivers exceptional quality and value to its customers to help them achieve their passenger experience objectives. The company’s headquarters are located in Los Angeles, California, with offices and teams located in North America, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Oceania and South America. Find out more at: www.geemedia.com.
About Swiss International Air Lines
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is Switzerland’s national airline, serving 105 destinations in 49 countries from Zurich and Geneva and carrying more than 16 million passengers a year with its 92-aircraft fleet. The company’s Swiss WorldCargo division provides a comprehensive range of airport-to-airport airfreight services for high-value and care-intensive logistic solutions to around 130 destinations in over 80 countries. As the airline of Switzerland, SWISS embodies the country’s traditional values, and is committed to delivering the highest product and service quality. With its workforce of 8,245 personnel, SWISS generated total operating income of CHF 5.2 billion in 2014. SWISS is part of the Lufthansa Group, and is also a member of Star Alliance, the world’s biggest airline grouping.
Forward-Looking Statements
We make forward-looking statements in this press release. These forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts for future events, including without limitation, our earnings, revenues, expenses or other future financial or business performance or strategies, or the impact of legal or regulatory matters on our business, results of operations or financial condition. These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words "may," "might," "will," "will likely result," "should," "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "continue," "target" or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date they were made, and should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those risks and uncertainties described in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as amended, and subsequently filed reports on Form 10-Q, as amended. As a result, our actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
Jenelle Benoit Director, Marketing & Communications +1 310-321-6612 pr@geemedia.com Kevin Trosian Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations +1 310-740-8624 Investor.relations@geemedia.com
Released February 9, 2016