Thales (Stand F-23), expanding its in-flight entertainment (IFE) installation footprint in the growing Asia-Pacific fleet as well as within HNA Group, is equipping 59 HNA-affiliated aircraft with its Avant IFE/connectivity system.

The deal covers 42 Airbus A330s and 17 A350s that will fly for HNA Group airlines. The first Avant-equipped A330 entered service in late 2017, while the first A350 is set to fly in the third quarter of this year. The agreement includes providing Thales FlytCare, the nose-to-tail IFE maintenance package, for each covered aircraft.

Thales's win strengthens its ties with HNA Group. Thales already supplies systems for a variety of HNA Airbus and Boeing aircraft, including more than 50 A330s on the strength of a contract announced in 2016. HNA Group's carriers include Hainan Airlines, Capital Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, Lucky Air, and West Air.   

The expanded HNA agreement also bolsters Thales's IFE-related presence in the region, where it serves many carriers. Among them: Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, and China Southern, which was the first to fly the latest-generation Avant system, putting it into service on a 777-300ER in 2014.

Thales is responding to the strong Asia-Pacific demand by expanding its presence. "Thales is investing resources in the region to further enhance the integration of software and media capabilities that will enrich passenger experience and satisfy local market demands," the supplier said.

HNA Group's aircraft will be equipped with Avant's full high-definition monitors featuring the Avii Touch Passenger Media Unit. Avii provides intuitive navigation, full Android smartphone look and feel, and acts as a second entertainment screen, Thales said. Integration of Ka-band connectivity to the Avant system will provide a fully connected passenger experience.

As Thales adds aircraft to its installed base, it is increasing its focus on product support across all product lines.

"Customer satisfaction is our top priority," said Eric Huber, Thales vice president, worldwide avionics sales. "We monitor it in many ways, notably by closely following the results of the Airbus Supplier Support ranking, ATR operators ranking, and by conducting our own annual customer survey."

The latest edition of the survey garnered more than 330 responses. Among the notable results: 60 percent of respondents said Thales's avionics products outperform the competition's.

Near-term priorities will focus on combining data-driven insights from customers with Thales's repair capabilities to increase service levels.

"By combining avionics expertise, our vast database of repair actions, our worldwide footprint, and state-of-the-art digital tools, we are able to provide greater insight into complexity and enable operators to connect their activities, better diagnose their maintenance, and shorten the turnaround time for maximized fleet availability," Huber said. "These are among our projects for 2018, while obviously continuing to find the best ways to satisfy operators around the world."