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April 13, 2021

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Today's Top Stories

IFPL Acquires Cobalt Aerospace

Passenger interface solutions company IFPL has acquired Cobalt Aerospace to offer airlines a broader range of products and services that enhance the in-flight passenger experience. Geoff Underwood, IFPL’s chairman and CEO, said, “We have known Cobalt since their formation in 2013 and have watched with interest as they have brought several innovative solutions to market, with Cobalt Spectrum mood lighting and ... the GLS-7 floor path marking system.” Cobalt Aerospace will also bring its status as a UK Civil Aviation Authority Part 21J Design Organization to IFPL. “This merger will allow us to combine our innovations with IFPL’s many years of expertise and impressive scale,” said Cobalt Aerospace’s co-founder and director, Ben Brown.

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Thales InFlyt Experience Announces New CEO

On April 5, TK Kallenbach replaced Philippe Carette as CEO at Thales InFlyt Experience. After spending 30 years at Honeywell Aerospace, Kallenbach served as CEO of Zodiac Aerospace’s Aerosystems Branch. Most recently, he held the position of Principal at CCC Consultants, advising technology companies focused on metal additive manufacturing, composite structures and electronic controls. “With Thales’ continued investment in digital technologies and innovative in-flight entertainment solutions, we are reimagining the travel experience of tomorrow. I look forward to partnering with our airline customers to support their success as the travel market recovers from this crisis,” Kallenbach said.

Thales Group | Related Thales is ‘Ready to Fly’ a safer in-flight experience – Aircraft Interiors International

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KuwaitMosafer Platform Links with Common Trust Network

National Aviation Services (NAS), creators of the KuwaitMosafer web platform that passengers traveling through Kuwait International Airport must use to book COVID-19 tests and airport services and to complete travel declarations, has partnered with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to make vaccine certificates issued by the Kuwait Ministry of Health instantly accessible to airlines, airport authorities and governments via WEF’s Common Trust Network. “With the COVID-19 vaccine certificate, passengers can travel reassured with complete data confidentiality and the ability to share their personal records as and where required,” said Hassan El-Houry, Group CEO, NAS.

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IFE is More Important Than Ever, says Spafax

In the latest installment of In the Hot Seat, Spafax’s CEO Niall McBain shares that he’s encouraged by the fact some airlines are increasing their content refresh cycles from quarterly to monthly now that passenger numbers are growing again. McBain also said that in-flight entertainment (IFE) is more important than ever, having witnessed an average 45% increase in the time passengers are spending exploring the IFE on their upcoming flights using its Profile platform. While he recognizes that leisure travelers may be the first to take to the skies again, McBain explained, "Business travellers absolutely need to be catered to, as they can account for up to 75% of an airline’s revenue."

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AnadoluJet’s Boeing 737-800s Retrofitted with TSI Seats’ Elesa S Model

Turkish Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary AnadoluJet is now flying with TSI Seats’ Elesa S slimline economy-class seating product as part of a retrofit project covering 17 Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Five shipsets have already been delivered and the remaining 12 are scheduled to arrive by the second quarter of 2021. Features of the lightweight Elesa S include a bi-fold tray table, upper literature pocket and accessible armrests for passengers with reduced mobility.

Runway Girl Network | Related TSI Seats will be featured in Airbus BFE Catalogue – TSI Seats

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Scoot Awarded Diamond APEX Health Safety Status

Scoot has become the first low-cost carrier to be awarded Diamond status following its participation in the APEX Health Safety powered by SimpliFlying audit. Campbell Wilson, Scoot’s CEO, said, “Since the start of COVID-19, we have ... implemented measures ranging from increased cleaning and distancing to deploying contactless check-in and in-flight ordering, and trialling digital pre-departure test verification tools.” Shashank Nigam, SimpliFlying’s CEO, explained that Scoot's 24/7 running COVID-19 risk assessment framework also made it stand out during the audit.

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End-to-End Biometrics Live at Narita International Airport

Passengers traveling through Narita International Airport can now check in at biometric kiosks, where their facial images will be captured and verified against their passports. This will allow them to use automatic bag drop (ABD) units, pass through security and board their flight using just their faces, thanks to e-gates equipped with cameras that automatically validate their identity. ICM Airport Technics supplied the kiosks and ABD units fitted with biometric cameras and NEC Corporation’s application software.

Passenger Terminal Today | Related Narita Airport in Japan to test shoe screening equipment – Airport Technology

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

A China Airlines aircraft basks in the sunshine. Captured by @martin_avigraphy.

Use #APEXPOTD for the chance to be featured in the APEX Daily Experience newsletter!

> Tweet of the Day

It’s a kind of magic! See how plane spotters capture the magic of Schiphol airport in the new pop-up photography exhibition on the E-pier.

Schiphol @Schiphol

Association News

Exclusive Turkish Airlines Interview to Take Place at FTE APEX Virtual Expo

During FTE APEX Virtual EXPO, APEX/IFSA CEO Dr. Joe Leader is to host an exclusive interview with M. İlker Aycı, Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee at Turkish Airlines. The interview will see Aycı share his perspectives on the aviation industry's recovery from COVID-19 and Turkish Airlines' future ambitions, in line with the event’s theme, "Relaunching Global Air Transport." The full agenda for FTE APEX Virtual Expo will be revealed this week. Register now.

> Quote of the Day

“APEX is an association, and assocations are fundamentally about people."

Al St. Germain, Spafax
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Until tomorrow

ABOUT APEX

The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) encompasses a network of airlines, businesses and professionals that are committed to providing a world-class airline experience for passengers around the globe. Every day, APEX members are improving every aspect of the airline experience, from designing, building and installing seating, entertainment and communications systems on commercial aircraft, to airport lounges and in-flight dining. Visit apex.aero for more information. APEX is professionally managed by Kellen Company, the premier global association management firm with offices and representation in the United States, Europe, China, the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia.

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