Emma Kelly/LONDON
Rockwell Collins aims to finalise its plans for the integration of Sony Trans Com into its own in-flight entertainment (IFE) business by the end of September. This follows approval of the acquisition at the end of July.
A major issue to be determined is Rockwell's future widebody IFE hardware activities, with the Sony purchase resulting in the avionics giant manufacturing and supporting two competing interactive widebody IFE systems - Sony's P@ssport and Rockwell's Total Entertainment System (TES).
Rockwell announced plans to purchase Trans Com from the Sony Corporation of America in April (Flight International, 18-24 April). The combination of the former Irvine, California-based Sony division with neighbouring Pomona-based Rockwell Collins Passenger Systems will create a business which is expected to generate annual revenues in excess of $500 million from next year.
There were a number of "clear attractions" to the purchase, says Neal Keating, vice-president and general manager of Passenger Systems. The acquisition provides Rockwell with a "very strong [IFE] package", covering widebody and narrowbody systems, IFE content and worldwide product support. The main attraction was Sony's strength in narrowbody IFE system manufacture through its successful P@ves system, with Keating conceding that Rockwell has "a weak position" in this market. Sony Trans Com also provides Rockwell with a strong IFE content provision business - an area with which Rockwell has not traditionally been associated.
It is too early to say how Rockwell will resolve the widebody IFE system issue, says Keating, with one of eight transition teams starting work at the beginning of August to "understand the capabilities of both product lines" and due to recommend a way forward within 90 days. P@ssport is operational with South African Airways, Air Canada and US Airways, and receiving positive reports.
TES - Rockwell's "flagship" IFE product - has a much larger installed base, which includes American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines and Thai Airways.
TES, however, does not currently offer the interactive capabilities of P@ssport and has encountered reliability issues, with BA in particular.
"We are certainly committed to P@ssport customers, we recognise our responsibilities," says Keating.
- Air France has selected TES for its new Airbus A330-200 fleet, deliveries of which are due to start late next year.
The airline, which has 12 A330s on order, was the first carrier to select and install TES, which is operating in all classes of its A340s and Boeing 777s.
Source: Flight International
