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Alison Chambers/Helen Stevens
Emerald Media
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helen@emeraldmedia.co.uk

September
2010

Entertainment Value

A veteran of the aircraft interior servicing industry, with more than 25 years experience, UK-based Airline Services Limited (ASL) is applying its serviceorientated approach in the IFE sector, with a range of new IFE products aimed at the retrofit market.

At the head-end ASL has developed AeroStream, a multichannel video/audio server unit incorporating pre-recorded announcements (PRAMs) and ASL's own moving map application StarStream, which features satellite-enhanced imagery in a range of visual configurations. AeroStream is a compact, solid-state digital device designed as a new-generation replacement for legacy media such as tape and DVD players. The AeroStream unit delivers digital content across six video and 12 audio channels (more units can be added to increase the number of channels) and features a separate touchscreen cabin control interface for use by cabin crew. AeroStream has been designed to deliver the speed, clarity and flexibility of a digital delivery system with improved reliability. The unit will interface with existing equipment as well as ASL's AeroScreens.

The Aeroscreen range of LCD monitors was designed and developed by ASL's in-house engineering team, and includes the ASL 175 AeroScreen, a fully retractable 17.5in LCD HD-ready monitor. First fitted in February 2008 on an Astraeus B757 flying on behalf of bmi, the screens have received a great response from passengers and crew, with no technical faults to date.

ASL says the key attraction of its products lies in "lighter, brighter, faster" technology. The Aero products are designed to offer improved reliability, reduced weight and lower energy consumption all at highly competitive pricing. The AeroScreen boasts a viewing angle in excess of 160° horizontal and 130° vertical. The HD-ready AeroScreens are compatible with all input formats, including PAL, NTSC and SECAM, video inputs from composite to RGB and S-VHS, and conform to the latest D160 standards.

The 17.5in screen is available for centre aisle installation with an approved automatic retraction mechanism, or as a bulkhead mounted unit, also with an approved mount. Further versions include a 10in retractable overhead bin model, plus seatback and in-arm mounted versions. All ASL products are backed up with a comprehensive warranty and full in-house capabilities for workshop and on-wing maintenance and repair, as well as technical and engineering assistance via ASL's EASA Part 145 and Part 21 approvals.

"Following research carried out by ASL into the IFE market we saw an opportunity to develop a range of IFE products tailored to the demands of modern airlines with particular emphasis on the cost-conscious retrofit market," says Bryan Bodek, CEO of Airline Services Group. "We are using the experience and skills of our engineering team, adapting the latest, proven developments from the world of consumer electronics and combining them with our long-standing experience as a service provider in the aircraft interiors business." In approaching the IFE market, the company identified several key factors that shaped the way it approached its product and service offerings.

"Many airlines are faced with the challenge of operating older aircraft fitted with outdated, legacy IFE systems for longer than they had originally planned," says Bodek. "In many cases they will inevitably have to improve, refresh or upgrade the onboard offering to meet modern passenger expectations, but a lot of airlines are extremely cost conscious, not wanting to spend vast sums of money which simply won't be recovered in the remaining lease or operating period of the aircraft. Our products are aimed squarely at this retrofit market."

Secondly, the company says that the cost of fuel, economic conditions and new factors such as the planned emissions trading scheme have put weight saving high on the agenda again. "Modern LCD monitors and digital servers offer significant weight savings against legacy CRT-driven monitors and multiple tape or DVD player arrangements, strengthening the economic argument to replace them, even in a downturn, as a costsaving measure," says Bodek.

Service and Support

ASL also believes after-sales service is a vital factor for airlines. "Although reliability and in-service support are improving, the increasing complexity in each new generation of IFE systems also increases the risks and consequences of in-service failures," says Bodek. "ASL is a service orientated company, these are the origins and values that have made us successful and these attributes are heavily emphasised in our IFE offerings."

ASL already provides full IFE on-wing support for legacy IFE systems from its facility at London Heathrow and at other locations worldwide, and will provide support for existing and future ASL IFE products as they come online. "The experience we have built up by servicing existing IFE systems has been a valuable tool in building robustness, reliability and performance into our own systems and will allow us to hit the ground running as our products enter service," says Simon Sixsmit, director of engineering at the company.

ASL performs engineering, design and workshop activities at its facilities in Manchester - holding EASA Part 145 approval for the repair and overhaul of avionic, galley and IFE equipment, along with EASA Part 21 J Design and G Manufacture approvals. The group also has a soft furnishings division specialising in the design, manufacture, supply, fit and care of seat covers, curtains and other accessories in both high volume and smal bespoke quantities; and is one of the UK's largest providers of ramp operations (deicing, interior and exterior cleaning, carpet fitting, cabin presentation and laundry services), with facilities at 11 UK airports.

In summary, the company expects an increase in retrofit activity, but with a strong emphasis on value for money, weight saving and in-service reliability. "We believe the downturn in the airline industry has increased the argument for simpler, more reliable and cost-effective solutions for passenger entertainment in certain areas of the market, and we have positioned our products accordingly," says Bodek.

Editor's notes

Airline Entertainment International - Showcase 2010  (magazine printed September 10)

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13 July
2010

Aerospace company Airline Services flies into top 100 UK independent firms for international sales performance

Manchester, UK-based Airline Services Group has entered the Sunday Times' International Track 100 league table of the top 100 private firms which spotlights businesses with the fastest growing international sales.  

Airline Services was lauded for increasing its international sales growth by 52.40% over the past two years.    Total sales for the group in the last financial year total £32.4 million.  (International sales expanded from £5.5 million in 2007 to £12.7 million in 2009.)

Founded in 1988 and with a workforce of nearly 500 based primarily at Manchester and London Gatwick airports, the Airline Services Group, including Airline Services Components (ASC), has built up a strong customer base of international airlines and suppliers, providing aircraft interior and ramp services, supplying aircraft parts and repair management services.  Almost 95% of ASC's turnover is derived from companies overseas - the main market driver for its growth.
  
"We are delighted with this recognition," said Airline Services Group CEO Bryan Bodek.  "The decision to form ASC just four years ago has opened up significant new overseas markets for the group.  ASC's performance has far exceeded our expectations and brought new opportunities for further growth.  This achievement is also a tribute to the hard work, professionalism and commitment of our staff.  It has been an especially challenging 18 months in commercial aviation so this endorsement is even more special and important to us."

Representatives from Airline Services, a member of the North West Aerospace Association and Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, will be visiting the Farnborough Air Show next week (19th to 25th July). 

The inaugural Sunday Times HSBC International Track 100 ranks private companies by their foreign sales growth over the last two financial years.  Companies selected by the Sunday Times were selected from a database of two million private UK companies whose annual accounts are listed at Companies House.  The league table is based on historical data with latest available figures ranging from December 2008 to January 2010.

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Airline Services Ltd  looks to expand client base in Middle East Names new Regional Sales Director

Airline Services Ltd has appointed a Regional Sales Director dedicated to the Middle East region as it looks to grow its customer base there.  Canadian-born Graham Mills, who has many years' experience working in the region joins the company from Greiner PURtec in Austria where he led sales efforts over the past 13 years. 

Airline Services already works with several leading Gulf airlines and MRO organisations and the company is keen to widen its support activity.  This week Graham was at the Aircraft Interiors Expo and MRO Middle East in Dubai promoting ASL's offerings in the areas of interior support programs and IFE.

Headquartered at Manchester Airport, UK, Airline Services Ltd has been established for more than 25 years as a leading provider of support services to the airline industry in the UK providing aircraft interior care, maintenance, presentation and engineering services including seat, IFE and galley equipment maintenance, seat cover, curtain and carpet manufacture, supply and fit, UK-based ground support services such as exterior washing, interior cleaning, aviation laundry.  ASL also provides de-icing services to more than 50 domestic and international carriers across nine of the UK's major airports. 

"We already support a number of airlines and MROs in the Middle-East/Gulf region and see a great potential to expand this much further.  There aren't any companies currently in the commercial aircraft interiors sector that offer the scope of services, expertise and experience that we do," said Graham Mills.  He will also be promoting Airline Services' new modular IFE products - the Aero range including the ASL AeroScreen, a 17.5" HD-ready LCD Monitor, and the new digital Audio and Video Delivery Unit called AeroStream.  AeroStream is a compact, digital, multi-channel server, designed as a new-generation replacement for heavy and outdated analogue systems. 

Editor's notes

Airline Services Group comprises five main divisions - Cabin Interior Engineering and Workshop activities (Part 21 Design J and G Design and Manufacture, Part 145 EASA repair and overhaul of avionic, galley and IFE equipment) are carried out at Manchester headquarters.  IFE products and services including IFE On-Wing Support and IFE systems are handled from Manchester and many other airports with line support.  Aviation Textiles, also based in Manchester, embraces seat covers, curtains, accessories, design, manufacture, supply and fit.  Ramp Operations (de-icing, interior and exterior cleaning and presentation, carpet fitting and laundry at nine UK airports). Rotable Component Support - Airline Services Components - based at London-Gatwick.  This division specialises in the supply and management of rotable components including Wheels and Brakes on the basis of power by hour, exchange, loan, lease or sale agreements, as well as repair management.