SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines and Panasonic Avionics inked a $400 million deal that will see the electronics company develop and equip the top airlines with advanced in-flight entertainment and communications systems. The aim is to help the airlines, which has been struggling in recent years, to maintain its edge over other carriers. With the rise of low-cost carriers in the Southeast Asian region, the airlines hopes that it will be a boost to its efforts to maintain its top position. According to the agreement, Panasonic will deliver over 40 SIA planes on order with a system that can provide broadband Internet and global live television in the Airbus A350s and the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the Singapore flag carrier said in a statement on Wednesday. Panasonic Avionics, based in the United States, is part of Japan's Panasonic.
