2009 WAEA Single Focus Workshop: Connectivity

With today’s tragic news about Air France 447, the subject of aircraft connectivity takes on a new and urgent meaning for the aviation industry. Given that the last contact with the Airbus A330 was via automatic condition monitors, connectivity now has dual interest - aircraft and passenger.

The upcoming WAEA Single Focus Workshop, Tuesday, July 14 - Wednesday, July 15 2009 in Everett, Washington, USA has the passenger focus, and the WAEA noted in their communication; “This special two-day educational event will feature keynote and breakout sessions covering the very basics of connectivity to the advanced levels of this dynamic and ever changing subject in the Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity. Individuals from all aspects of the IFE&C industry, as well as experts in engineering, technology and forecasting will be in attendance and attendees will have time to mingle with colleagues from around the world at the networking events.” From an entertainment perspective, this will be your chance to look into the technologies and business practices that In-Stat predicts will be a $12 Billion dollar business by 2012! Check out some of these topics like “Service Enhancement and Ancillary Revenue”…this one should be very interesting! Here is the topic list at this time:

• Airline Trials
• Clear up the misconceptions of connectivity
• Systems, technology and capability offerings
• Onboard access and distribution
• Connectivity from the Airframers’ perspective
• Ground-based trends and it’s affect on other systems
• Applications and Content
• Service enhancement or ancillary revenue discussions
• Regulatory and industry activities
• In-flight TV

You can get more information at the WAEA website and please note, WAEA Members and non-members alike are invited to attend. We talked to one WAEA contact and were told, “Yes, I think one of the sessions that is going to be a highlight is the morning of the first day and it’s entitled “Who’s Doing What?” - we will have a lot of airlines giving reports of their trials, sharing lessons learned, and what they are planning next - it’ll be a great sharing and learning session for everyone on everything that’s hot in Connectivity.” See you there.