Kingfisher inducts world's first ATR aircraft with In-Flight Entertainment system
24 Jan 2007
Toulouse, France: Fast growing private carrier, Kingfisher Airlines, operating on India's domestic circuit, has announced the induction into its fleet of the world's first ATR 72-500 aircraft equipped with an In-flight entertainment system (IFE). Though the aircraft is the sixth ATR 72-500 being delivered to Kingfisher, with this delivery all ATRs will now come equipped with the IFE.
As part of the IFE system, the new ATR aircraft will have 17" LCD colour screens spread throughout the cabin, which will operate through a drop down mechanism. Audio will be heard through overhead speakers. The airline utilises the ATR72-500 aircraft to connect several smaller cities across the country.
"It is a landmark achievement, and we are proud to be the owners of the first ever IFE equipped ATR aircraft in the world. Now guests flying the Good Times with Kingfisher Airlines on the ATR routes will also be able to enjoy fabulous IFE service," said Hitesh Patel, executive vice president, Kingfisher Airlines Limited.
The new IFE, available as an option both in the ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500 versions, can be installed on new aircraft during production or also retrofitted on aircraft already delivered.
The In-Flight Entertainment system, was first displayed at the Paris Air Show 2005. A product of the French company, Vision Systems, the IFE allows passengers to receive audio-video programs as well as commercial adverts and messages from the attendants or the pilot.
Light weight LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) video screens are installed in a case, that is integrated into the PSU area. The screens are placed every two seat rows, along both sides of the guest cabin. As an optional feature, to be eventually developed, the system will be capable of displaying live-views from inside or outside the aircraft.
Toulouse, France-based regional aircraft manufacturer ATR is the world leader in the 50 to 74-seat turboprop market. ATR is an equal partnership between Alenia Aeronautica (Finmeccanica group) and EADS.
Kingfisher Airlines is India's first, and only, private airline to receive the prestigious Best New Airline of the Year award in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region from the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA).
