Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) has entered into a 10-year agreement with Riyadh Air to provide in-flight entertainment (IFE) maintenance support for its fleet of 39 787 Dreamliners, currently on confirmed orders and expected to be operational by late 2025.
Alongside the maintenance support, Panasonic Technical Services (PTS) will establish a line maintenance station in Riyadh, hiring locally to establish technical teams with knowledge of the 787’s systems.
Within the agreement, Panasonic will provide PTS’ Total Care Package, line maintenance support, on-site technical expertise, proactive maintenance planning, 24/7 technical support, spares and repair services, and fully compliant Part 145 services.
“Our Total Care Package service is set to provide proactive, comprehensive support, minimising downtime and ensuring consistently exceptional operational performance and passenger experience,” said Tom Eskola, Vice President, Panasonic Technical Services at Panasonic Avionics. “With a new dedicated base in Saudi Arabia, we are demonstrating our commitment to providing Riyadh Air with the highest level of service and support, combining our expertise in both aircraft maintenance and IFE systems.”
The maintenance agreement follows Riyadh Air selecting Astrova, Panasonic Avionics’ seat-back IFE solution, for its 787-9 fleet last year.
“Delivering a consistent, premium passenger experience is at the heart of everything we do,” commented Peter Belew, Chief Operations Officer at Riyadh Air. “When it came to supporting our IFE systems, Panasonic Technical Services was best positioned to provide the necessary care and expertise. We are confident that this strategic agreement will ensure our passengers enjoy a world-class IFE experience on every flight.”
Photo: Riyadh Air
