Emirates has emerged as the latest customer for the Boeing/Jeppesen electronic flight bag (EFB) system that KLM introduced on its new 777-200ER fleet in September last year. Emirates will receive its first EFB-fitted 777s when deliveries of its -300ERs begin in March 2005, adding its name to the list of existing customers EVA Airways and Malaysia Airlines, which also await delivery, and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which has just begun operating it, confirms Boeing.
Boeing originally announced it would be delivering the finalised software package to PIA for its EFB-fitted 777-200ERs by May, when it had ironed out some early teething problems that KLM discovered during its first six months as Boeing's "developmental partner" for the EFB (Flight International, 10-16 February). However, PIA has only just begun to operate its EFBs, because Boeing says it was waiting for completion of the electronic terminal-area charts function.
Meanwhile, Airbus says that Emirates has ordered the European manufacturer's EFB system - dubbed Airbus In-flight Information System (AFIS) - for delivery next year on its new A340s, and will be working with Airbus on in-service system validation. KLM and Thai Airways International will also be acquiring the AFIS on new-delivery A330/A340s in August 2005, just after the equipment's planned certification.
Source: Flight International
