Air China, the flagship international air carrier in China, and Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of the Boeing Company, announced a preliminary agreement they have reached to provide real-time, high-speed connectivity to air travelers traveling to and from China.

The announcement in Beijing included as many as 15 firm and optional retrofit installations on Air China's Boeing 747-400 aircraft, and other long-haul aircraft models to be determined at a later date.

Aircraft installations are expected to begin in Oct. 2006 and, once completed, the Connexion by Boeing service will provide Air China passengers with in-flight access to the Internet, real-time email, instant messaging, corporate intranet access, including virtual private network capability, and the ability to stay in touch with friends, family and colleagues while enroute to their destination.

Additionally, the initial aircraft installations will be completed in time for passengers to use the service in advance of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Service availability is expected on key routes between China and North America, Europe, the Middle East and throughout the Asia Pacific region.

"Air China is pleased to work with Connexion by Boeing to bring this leading service to its passengers," said Air China Vice President Ma Kuiliang. "China will be prominently featured on the stage to the world during the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games and this technology will help to enhance Air China's service quality and make the wonders of our country accessible to the world through the provision of airborne Internet service.

Furthermore, Air China will be able to use the bandwidth capabilities to enhance communication between its flight crews and its service and maintenance organizations beginning in the very near future," Ma added

Experts said China has, in recent months, shown a significant momentum in its aviation market as airlines in the China market continue to update their fleet of aircraft to support travel on key international routes. Strong growth in the commercial airline sector is anticipated over the coming decades with new airliners needed to meet the anticipated boon in air travel.

(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2006)