Geneva, Switzerland, 2 March 2010. OnAir together with Oman Air celebrated a successful first flight using the full spectrum of mobile and WiFi Internet connectivity services based on Inmarsat SwiftBroadband. This is the first time in aviation history that an airline offers such an extensive range of services (GSM/GPRS together with WiFi Internet) at the same time.

At this stage, the service is in operation aboard one of Oman Air’s brand new Airbus A330 aircraft on the Muscat International to London Heathrow route, with planned extensions to other Oman Air aircraft.

Passenger services on the flight provided Internet access via laptops (wireless), as well as the ability via mobile phones and smart phones to make and receive calls, to send and receive text messages and emails, and to access the Internet.

Benoit Debains, CEO of OnAir, commented: “This milestone underlines OnAir’s leadership as the only service provider today capable of offering the full suite of connectivity solutions for cabin and cockpit – GSM/GPRS and WiFi Internet with global coverage.”

Thales announced today that it has delivered the first of seven TopSeries systems onboard Oman Air’s new A330 aircraft. This TopSeries system configuration is the most capability-rich Thales’s platform, flying with features such as live landscape camera, satellite TV, duty free shopping and ordering, passenger surveys, food and beverage services, cached websites, a personal electronic device interface and much more.

First class passengers will be immersed in an unmatched flying experience with the largest widescreen in-seat displays available providing access to a myriad of exciting applications all controlled by a custom designed wireless passenger control unit. The state of the art graphical user interface will also give business and economy passengers control of the same impressive list of entertaining and informative features. “We found Thales to be the right company to work with on this program as their system and services matched what we want for our passengers and operations, and the Thales people truly support our vision,” said Peter Hill, CEO of Oman Air. Beyond the TopSeries system, Oman Air has selected the Thales TopCare turnkey maintenance service, which puts full responsibility of all maintenance and support requirements in the hands of Thales.

“We are very proud to have been selected by Oman Air and look forward to supporting the airline for years to come. Their system is a great example of how an airline can maximize the utility of the TopSeries platform. We are confident that their passengers will be pleased,” said Alan Pellegrini, Vice President and General Manager of Thales’s In-Flight Entertainment business. The inaugural commercial flight is scheduled for September 30th from Muscat to Frankfurt, Germany.

About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Space, Defence, Security and Transportation markets. In 2008, the company generated revenues of 12.7 billion euros with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners. www.thalesgroup.com

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (March 18, 2009) – Oman Air has selected Rockwell Collins to provide avionics for its fleet of 12 next-generation Boeing 737 aircrafts (6 leased, 6 direct purchase). Oman Air will also retrofit its current fleet of 9 next-generation Boeing 737 aircraft with the Rockwell Collins Data Link products.

“This is an important win as we look to further expand our presence in the Middle East,” said Jeff Standerski, vice president and general manager for Air Transport Systems at Rockwell Collins. “We are extremely honored to provide next generation avionics and information management capabilities which will provide Oman Air with a solution that will increase efficiency of their aircraft operations, enhance situational awareness for their pilot, and ultimately provide added comfort and safety for their passengers.”

Rockwell Collins MultiScanTM Hazard Detection System is among the avionics selected by Oman Air. The MultiScanTM system is the first and only radar that analyzes and determines actual weather hazards, not simply atmospheric moisture content. The MultiScanTM system is derived from extensive operational experience to create a fully automatic, hands-free airborne radar system that reduces pilot workload, enhances safety and passenger comfort by minimizing unexpected turbulence encounters, and provides optimal clutter-free weather displays.

Rockwell Collins Data Link system supports current Mode 2 31.5 Kbits/sec VHF data radios and is the future platform for air traffic control Data Link mandates such as Link 2000+. It allows flight crews to request and receive messages such as clearances, flight plan updates, weather data, diversion and emergency reports and passenger lists. The system can be tailored with application-specific menus and messages to further enhance efficiency and optimize operations. The system also supports the automatic downlink of engine and fuel performance data, which can be used to reduce maintenance and operating costs.

Oman Air also has selected Rockwell Collins sensors. Products selected include: ADF-900 Automatic Direction Finder, DFA-901 Direction Finding Antenna, DME-900 Distance Measuring Equipment, HFS-900D High Frequency Data Radio,CPL-920D Coupling Unit, GLU925 Multi-Mode Receiver,PAU-700 Passenger Address Unit, LRA-900 Low-range Radio Altimeter, TPR-901 Mode S Transponder,VHF-2100 High Speed Multi-Mode Data Radio, VOR-900 VHF Omnidirectional Range Receiver, and TTR-921 Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) II Receiver/Transmitter.

In September 2008, Oman Air selected Rockwell Collins to provide its Airshow 4200D Moving Map and Flight Information System and Rockwell Collins’ Tailwind 560 in-flight TV system for seven of the airline’s Airbus 330 fleet.

About Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications. Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, information management and simulation and training is delivered by 20,000 employees, and a global service and support network that crosses 27 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com.