Hanwha Group is set to expand into naval shipbuilding
Hanwha is broadening its portfolio, with a bid to take a controlling stake in shipbuilder DSME likely to proceed.
AirAsia X sets IFE/connectivity standard
Malaysian long-haul low-fare operator AirAsia X has just taken delivery of a new Airbus A330-300 that from next year will offer as good a combination of IFE and connectivity as any airliner in service.
The first of a total of 25 on order, the twinjet is equipped with Thales’ TopSeries audio/video-on-demand system, bringing to every seat a 8.9in touchscreen, a USB connection, audio and video entertainment, games, an interactive moving map, shopping and inter-seat chat.
Thales is also supplying its TopFlight Inmarsat satcoms system to support the OnAir onboard GSM service from next year. The service, which will also be introduced on the A320s of parent company Air Asia, will enable passengers to use their mobile phones and BlackBerry-type devices to send and receive text messages and emails, and to make and receive voice calls.
“We firmly believe that offering our passengers the ability to communicate in flight is vital in this era of information technology,” AirAsia deputy chief executive Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun said earlier this year
AirAsia X’s A330s will be used to link Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur with destinations in Australia, North Asia, the Middle East and Europe, complementing the existing AirAsia regional network. They will be configured for a total of 383 passengers, with 355 seats in economy and 28 in the airline’s XL premium class.
The AirAsia Group has 200 Airbuses on firm order – the A330s plus 175 A320s.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![Hanwha Group is set to expand into naval shipbuilding]()
-
![Russia poised to increase defence spending]()
Russia poised to increase defence spending
Russia is set to significantly increase its expenditure on defence and national security according to a draft 2023 to 2025 budget.
-
![Acquisition brings ECA Group and iXblue under one roof]()
Acquisition brings ECA Group and iXblue under one roof
Groupe Gorgé says the combination of ECA Group and iXblue will create a ‘high-tech industrial champion’ for naval robotics and navigation systems.
-
![Honeywell gains contract to sustain radiation-hardened military microelectronics]()
Honeywell gains contract to sustain radiation-hardened military microelectronics
Honeywell receives radiation-hardening support contract for microelectronics.
-
![Silent Sentinel to supply long-range thermal cameras for Swedish live fire test sites]()
Silent Sentinel to supply long-range thermal cameras for Swedish live fire test sites
Silent Sentinel will provide its Jaegar platforms with an advanced cold-starter kit for Sweden.
-
![USAF braces for new KC-46 delay as RVS 2.0 troubles persist]()
USAF braces for new KC-46 delay as RVS 2.0 troubles persist
The US Air Force is facing up to more KC-46 tanker woes.
