World's first ATR with IFE part of Kingfisher fleet

Bangalore, Jan 4 (UNI) Kingfisher Airlines, pioneers in introducing in-flight entertainment onboard its flights on domestic routes, today announced the induction of the world's first and only ATR 72-500 aircraft facilitating in-flight entertainment system (IFE).

Air travellers flying between smaller cities connected by Kingfisher Airlines' ATR aircraft service could now enjoy unlimited in-flight entertainment. The ATR aircraft inducted today would have 17 LCD colour screens spread throughout the cabin. The TV screens operate on a drop down mechanism. No headphones or earphones were required since the audio came through overhead speakers, a company release here said.

The aircraft was the sixth ATR 72-500 delivered to Kingfisher Airlines. All ATR aircraft delivered to Kingfisher Airlines hereon would be equipped with IFE.

Airliner Executive Vice-President Hitesh Patel said ''the initiative of facilitating IFE onboard our ATR fleet has been made possible due to our conviction as well as the technical prowess of both the Kingfisher Airlines team as well as that of ATR. It is a landmark achievement and we are proud to be the owners of the first ever IFE-equipped ATR aircraft in the world. Now guests flying the Good Times with Kingfisher Airlines on the ATR routes also will be able to enjoy fabulous IFE service.'' The new IFE, proposed as an option both in ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500, was certified last November and could be installed on new aircraft during production or also retrofitted on aircraft already delivered, the release said.

UNI