IN PERSON
INTERVIEW Going beyond expectations
A new UK-based connectivity company, AeroFi, has a big announcement to make at the APEX show in Anaheim. Richard Williams talks to managing director, Martin Cunnison.
What is the AeroFi system and how does it work? AeroFi is an entertainment, retail and connectivity platform for airlines. Passengers connect to the system using their own mobile devices, whether onboard or offboard, either via a native (iOS or Android) App or any web browser such as Chrome, Safari etc. Airlines can customise their user experience from our menu of services such as streaming media, onboard retail, destination experience bookings, download-to-own and many other revenue generating or service enhancing features. AeroFi software can be embedded within the airline’s pre-existing Apps. Our platform comprises a lightweight, fully certified, onboard wireless LAN network – simply a server and access point allowing every passenger to connect simultaneously onboard – and a supporting offboard system to which each aircraft synchronises via inflight and/or on-ground cellular connectivity.
The outcome is a seamless system allowing airlines to increase their passenger communication touchpoints before, during and after the flight.
What are the main features and advantages of the AeroFi system in terms of cost, weight and revenue generation? Some facts: over 70% of flyers carry a smartphone; tablets are outstripping PC sales; UK households have an average of 10 portable screen devices; in the last two years smartphone usage per day has doubled. AeroFi benefits from this ‘Bring Your Own Device’ revolution, enabling airlines to offer a modern, diverse and relevant user experience on- and offboard. AeroFi can enhance or replace
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WWW.ONBOARDHOSPITALITY.COM INTERVIEW Martin
Cunnison Managing Director of AeroFi
Martin Cunnison has been working in the IFE market for 10 years, having spent his formative years in senior finance positions within retail and service organisations. He set up the company in 2012 with chairman Steve Cloran, who has run his own aircraft interiors business for 20 years. AeroFi is UK-based and has a network of supply partners with skillsets across hardware support, aircraft installation and content management.
existing IFE systems as well as fill the void where previously such systems have not been economical.
The AeroFi hardware onboard weighs approx 20kg for single aisle, 40kg for widebody. A fully certified and installed onboard AeroFi network costs a fraction of a traditional seat-back or overhead IFE system with virtually no maintenance costs or obsolescence issues. Content, User Interfaces and Operating System software can be updated across an entire aircraft fleet rapidly within hours or days, not weeks or months. Each flight can be uniquely programmed to offer a specific content set, pricing structures and product range to
suit variable factors such as demographics, time of day, and destination. Over time, the usage data captured by the system further enhances the intelligence of product selection and services offered, increasing the revenue-generating possibilities.
How does the AeroFi offering match up against those from the major content and connectivity suppliers? AeroFi has a number of similarities with other providers – we use hardware manufactured by leading avionics suppliers; we provide our systems with EASA/FAA supplemental type certificates; AeroFi works as a standalone ‘Streaming IFE’ system or with in-flight connectivity and, crucially, AeroFi has been in passenger revenue service since 2013. Possibly uniquely amongst our peer group, AeroFi has designed and developed all software components proprietarily and inhouse, in close collaboration over the past two years with a large UK airline, our launch customer. Our driving ambition is to provide a system with very low total cost of ownership and maximum user experience flexibility. The system is Hollywood approved, PCI approved, Apple approved, EASA/ FAA approved and Passenger approved.
Why should an airline install an IFEC system now, instead of waiting for the next generation? The onboard technology we deploy is proven and safe. Passenger access and demand is rising fast. Over 90% of airline executives in a recent poll expect to deploy wifi
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