Lake Forest's Panasonic Avionics Inks $1 Billion Deal

    Nov. 18, 2011
    Company signs a letter of intent to provide systems of connectivity, entertainment, mobile phone service, and live TV to Etihad Airways over the next ten years

    Source The Orange County Register, Santa Ana, Calif.

    Nov. 18--LAKE FOREST -- Panasonic Avionics has inked a $1 billion deal that corporate officials say is a "real shot in the arm for Orange County."

    The Lake Forest--based company signed a letter of intent to provide systems of connectivity, entertainment, mobile phone service and live TV to Etihad Airways over the next 10 years.

    "This is the biggest deal in in-flight entertainment within at least the last five years," Neil James, executive director of product sales said on Thursday. "Panasonic Avionics has been based out of Orange County for 30 years. This is really a win for all of Orange County."

    James said the company's entertainment system matched the details of what the Abu Dhabi-based United Arab Emirates national airline needs. Panasonic will provide entertainment and connectivity systems for the airlines entire fleet over the next 10 years. The airline serves destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America.

    "This is a 100-aircraft deal, James said. "They were looking for a product that is closely aligned to the scale of connectivity they require. Passengers will be able to use broadband, phones, lap tops and access live TV and sports on their personal devices. They also have a massive library of content to cover all the languages and cultures of the passengers on board."

    Thursday's deal follows the company's agreement last week with United Airlines to outfit 300 of their planes -- for domestic and international flights -- with entertainment systems.

    The company has 80 locations worldwide. The Lake Forest headquarters employs more than 1500. Another location in Washington employs 600.

    All of the entertainment systems are developed and designed in Lake Forest. The final testing of the complete system is also done there.

    On Saturday the company held a job fair. More than 300 people applied for 80 positions.

    Contact the writer: 949-454-7307 or [email protected]

    Copyright 2011 - The Orange County Register, Santa Ana, Calif.