Date:13/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/05/13/stories/2006051303470100.htm

Back Your music, your serials - soon on IA flights

Our Bureau

Board gives in-principle approval to in-flight entertainment

New Delhi , May 12

Soon you won't have to work your flight schedules so as to not miss your favourite television soap or the last ball being bowled in a gripping India-Pakistan cricket match.

In the next few months, board an Indian Airlines flight and get set to watch all the live action or listen to music in your seat 30,000 feet above the ground.

The board of Indian Airlines today gave `in-principle' approval for installing in-flight entertainment (IFE) system in the entire 43 Airbus fleet that it would be acquiring.

"We plan to have distributed audio and video system that would allow passengers in each seat to pick and choose from a number of stations that will be aired. We would also like to have satellite live television that would offer news and sport programmes," sources said.

Currently, Kingfisher Airlines offers a bouquet of audio and video programmes in both business and economy.

While IA officials were tight-lipped on the cost of the project, it is estimated that installing the system in the first 10 aircraft alone could cost around Rs 100 crore.

The airline intends to provide the IFE system in the armrest of a passenger travelling in business class, while those in economy would have the television monitors at the back of the headrest in front.

Globally, the main companies that provide IFE technology are Rockwell Collins, Thales, and Panasonic.

The board decision should give enough time for the airline to decide on the supplier and to the aircraft manufacturer to install the system without compromising on delivery schedules.

"It takes a few months to install the systems into the entire aircraft. Any further delay in deciding on an IFE system would have either meant pushing back the delivery schedule or not having it at all," the sources said.

The first of the new aircraft is expected to arrive in November this year and from next summer, IA will be getting one aircraft a month till 2010.

Besides, the airline is also looking at providing new uniforms to cabin crew soon.