Singapore Airlines' regional subsidiary SilkAir has become the first Asia-Pacific airline to sign a deal for US company Aircraft Protective Systems' (APS) portable DigEplayer video-on-demand in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems. SilkAir says it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Washington-based APS under which it will introduce the DigEplayer 5500 system on its longer-range flights.
The portable, self-contained video-on-demand units will be customised for SilkAir to include 11 full-length movies, four television programmes, 80 audio tracks, six music videos and content for children. The system has already been ordered by several carriers in the USA, as well as European low-cost operator Ryanair (Flight International 28 September-4 October).
The DigEplayer systems will be introduced on selected flights in January. They will be offered on a complimentary basis to business- class passengers, while economy- class passengers will be charged an unspecified rental fee. The airline has been exploring in-flight entertainment offerings for some time.
NICHOLAS IONIDES / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
