Kingfisher gets onboard satellite TV by Abu Dhabi-based Gamco

Dubai, Apr 1 (UNI) Kingfisher Airlines' Airbus A320 aircraft are getting fitted with advanced onboard satellite television systems by the Abu Dhabi-based Gulf Aircraft Maintenance Company (Gamco).

Currently, Gamco is about to complete the first batch of installation of the airline's Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) system, official agency WAM reported.

''This is an industry-first for Gamco in Asia,'' WAM quoted Gamco's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Saif Al Mughairy as saying.

Kingfisher is the first airline in Asia and the second in the world to install on-board satellite television on Airbus A320.

Unlike inflight entertainment programmes, the DBS systems enable Kingfisher to receive signals directly and passengers can access the full spectrum of satellite video and audio programming.

They can receive 16 television channels that can be distributed to each passenger seat via the in-flight entertainment system.

''When Kingfisher chose Gamco to install the system, our challenge was to carry out the necessary modifications and test the system to obtain the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) clearance for our customer,'' the CEO said.

Besides the installation of the system, Gamco also secured the contract from Kingfisher last November to provide maintenance support for its entire Airbus A320s and A319 fleet.

UNI