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GOL selects SITA's new Electronic Flight Bag solution for entire fleet
(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) SANTIAGO, CHILE -- GOL Linhas Areas Inteligentes, the largest low-cost and low-fare airline in Latin America, has selected global air transport IT provider SITA, and its technology partner Flightman, to provide applications and services for the electronic flight bags (EFBs) on board its entire fleet of 130 Boeing 737-NG aircraft.
This five-year contract, announced today at the Latin American aviation summit FIDAE, includes the provision of SITA e-Aircraft Application Services. This is a ground-breaking solution that uses SITAs new EFB integration module to minimize the challenge of integrating EFB technology with airline IT systems. SITAs service runs on GOLs selected Class II EFB hardware which delivers the most benefits for retrofits. Located in the cockpit, it integrates communication avionics with hardware and software to enable the exchange of real time information between the aircraft and the airlines ground operations.
EFBs are a welcome addition on aircraft as they reduce paper-based processes and the related operational costs. They support safe operations by reducing human errors, improve service to customers by minimizing disruptions while significantly reducing the workload for flight crew and ground staff. EFB hardware alone is of limited use but the real value comes from providing the EFBs with seamless connectivity to the airlines central systems and adapting the applications to the airlines various business processes.
SITA e-Aircraft Application Services eliminates the connectivity challenge by ensuring secure data delivery across multiple channels airport cellular, airport WiFi or satellite - as used by each airline. If required by the airline, it can also leverage use of SITAs existing ACARS infrastructure, which is used by more than 12,000 aircraft around the world and provides proactive monitoring and performance management. SITAs service can also be quickly configured to adapt to each airlines existing business processes and future operational needs.
For GOL, SITAs EFB service will streamline all the processes around the aircraft, seamlessly connecting and integrating the aircraft with the airlines existing IT infrastructure. It will enable GOLs pilots to retrieve flight-plans or maintenance documents more easily and quicker than ever before.
Captain Adalberto Bogsan, VP, GOL said: This EFB solution from SITA and Flightman is the most comprehensive on the market. Our team at GOL especially likes the workflow management capabilities of the Flightman software application because it allows the flight crew to take fewer steps to find the information they need which minimizes their workload in-flight. Having SITAs e-Aircraft integration is vital and will ensure that we have a robust system that integrates fully throughout the airline and our various IT systems, allowing us to enhance productivity, reduce waste and have a platform in place for future growth.
Philip Clinch, VP Aircraft Services, SITA, said: More and more airlines are recognizing the benefits that EFBs bring to their operations and now SITA is offering airlines a managed solution that leverages the combined experience of our EFB partners, SITAs EFB technical consulting and systems integration team, communication services and extensive device management. By choosing our service they can eliminate the headache of dealing with multiple cellular, WiFi and satellite partners and enjoy a single managed infrastructure.
Joe McGoldrick, CEO, Flightman, said: We are excited to be delivering an EFB solution to GOL which will allow for the optimization of their operational processes around the aircraft. With more and more content being published in electronic form, the business benefits of deploying a solution on the aircraft which is connected with the airlines back-office systems have been clearly demonstrated." As part of the delivery of the SITA e-Aircraft Application Services, the SITA team will work with GOL to ensure the airline achieves the maximum operational, economic and safety benefits obtainable from an EFB program. This includes a managed process with workshops to analyze business cases, support to obtain regulatory approvals for use and support of the change management program within the airline.
Implementation has already begun at GOL and when full regulatory approvals are achieved the solution will be used as GOL equips the 130 aircraft with its selected EFB hardware. SITA is also in discussions and conducting workshops with many other airlines as this managed infrastructure can cater to airlines with as few as 25 aircraft to those with over 600.
ENDS For further information (not for publication) contact: SITA Brenda Flinter Media Relations Manager Mobile: +353 87 750 6229 Email: Brenda.Flinter@sita.aero Leidar Charlie Pryor Director Tel : +44 (0)20 7031 8270 Email : charlie.pryor@leidar.com Skype: LEIDAR_Charlie SITA (Regional Contact) Cristiane Dart Latin America & Caribbean Marketing Manager Phone: +55 21 2111 5802 Mobile: +55 21 8237-9952 cristiane.dart@sita.aero Notes to Editors: About SITA SITA is the world's leading specialist in air transport communications and IT solutions. SITA delivers and manages business solutions for airline, airport, GDS, government and other customers over the worlds most extensive network, which forms the communications backbone of the global air transport industry.
SITAs portfolio includes managed global communications, infrastructure and outsourcing services, as well as services for airline commercial management and passenger operations, flight operations, aircraft operations and air-to-ground communications, airport management and operations, baggage operations, transportation security and border management, cargo operations and more.
With a customer service team of over 2,000 staff around the world, SITA invests significantly in achieving best-in-class customer service, providing integrated local and global support for both its communications and IT application services.
SITA has two main subsidiaries: OnAir, which is the leading provider of in-flight connectivity, and CHAMP Cargosystems, the world's only IT company dedicated solely to air cargo. SITA also operates two joint ventures providing services to the air transport community: Aviareto for aircraft asset management and CertiPath for secure electronic identity management.
SITA is one of the world's most international companies. Its global reach is based on local presence, with services for over 500 air transport industry members and 2,700 customers in over 200 countries and territories. Set up in 1949 with 11 member airlines, SITA today employs people of more than 140 nationalities, speaking over 70 different languages. SITA had consolidated revenues of US$1.46 billion (1.10 billion) in 2010.
For further information go to www.sita.aero About Flightman Flightman is an EFB software provider that automates and streamlines operations within airlines. The Flightman family of products comprises innovative software technology which synchronizes an extensive data model between the aircraft and various airline ground systems. It provides forms and workflows tailored to various users (e.g. Flight Crew, Engineers, EFB Administrators etc) to enable dramatic process improvement in the cockpit, cabin and on the ramp, thus reducing costs and enhancing efficiency in aircraft operations and maintenance.
For further information please visit: www.flightman.com About GOL Linhas Areas Inteligentes S.A.
GOL Linhas Areas Inteligentes S.A.,the largest low-cost and low-fare airline in Latin America, offers around 900 daily flights to 63 destinations that connect all the important cities in Brazil and 13 major destinations in South America and Caribbean. The Company operates a young, modern fleet of Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, the safest and most comfortable of its class, with high aircraft utilization and efficiency levels. Fully committed to seeking innovative solutions through the use of cutting-edge technology, the Company - via its GOL, VARIG, GOLLOG, SMILES and VoeFcil brands - offers its clients easy payment facilities, a wide range of complementary services and the best cost-benefit ratio in the market.
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(c) 2012 M2 COMMUNICATIONS
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