April 19, 2007; Hamburg – US in-seat power supplier Astronics has announced here orders worth $17 million from airlines around the world for its Empower system.

Three US carriers have placed orders and options worth more than $6 million for installations in a total of over 190 narrow and wide-body aircraft.

One contract covers power for laptops in business and first class in a fleet of over 150 Boeing 737s. Deliveries are under way and are due to continue until the fourth quarter of 2009. The other two agreements relate to installations in Boeing 757s and 767s to power passenger laptops and airline-supplied portable in-flight entertainment devices. One contract calls for 160 units to be delivered by the fourth quarter of this year, the other for 132 units to be delivered by the third quarter of 2008.

“We’re beginning to see an upswing in domestic orders for our in-seat power products as US airlines begin to follow the international airlines’ trend to upgrade their passengers’ inflight experience,” says Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems executive VP Mark Peabody.

An Asian carrier has awarded Astronics a $9 million order for its accessories and components, including power outlets, electrical cables and advanced master control units to be retrofitted on existing aircraft and on new widebodies. Deliveries are to begin soon and are expected to continue over the next two years.

A Middle Eastern airline is spending $2 million on installations in the first and business-class sections of more than 20 Boeing 777s. Deliveries will run from the second quarter of this year to the second quarter of 2010.