Knafaim-Arkia Holdings (TASE: KNFM), the controlling shareholder in El Al Israel Airlines (TASE: ELAL), is making the airline one of five airlines in the world to provide in-flight high-speed Internet services. El Al announced today that it would spend $3 million on installing high-speed Internet on its planes. The service will cost $9.95-29.95, depending on flight length and type of Internet use chosen by the passenger.
Under its agreement with CBB, a subsidiary of US aerospace manufacturer Boeing (NYSE: BA), electronic systems will be installed between June 2005 and December 2006 on El Al Boeing 747-400 and 777 jets. These systems will provide El Al passengers with high-speed broadband communications through portable computers.
El Al says that it is also looking into in-flight real time television broadcasts, video, cellular telephony, SMS messages, and games.
The service will operate through a special El Al portal. In addition to Internet and e-mail, the portal will offer access before payment to news, online recommendations for trips, weather information, online shopping, and more.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on February 16, 2005