Thales and JetBlue Close LiveTV Acquisition

Key points

  • Thales and JetBlue close the $399m LiveTV deal. 
  • The LiveTV deal strengthens Thales’s IFEC product and service offering with connectivity as a key driver.
  • The acquisition increases Thales’s operational footprint in the USA and enhances the Group’s global IFEC presence.

 

Thales today announced the closing of the acquisition of LiveTV from JetBlue.  As part of the arrangement, the two companies will form a partnership that focuses on innovation for both passengers and airline operations.  

Passengers increasingly expect broadband connectivity at all times. Airlines want to enable their passengers to have access to this connected environment within the aircraft, allowing them to interact with both social media and professional networks in the air. The acquisition of LiveTV is part of Thales’s strategy to meet passenger demands by delivering high quality, fast connections while meeting airline needs for greater operational efficiency. LiveTV has equipped more than 700 aircraft worldwide with a range of competitive products, focused on high performance connectivity services.

LiveTV provides outstanding solutions for passenger connectivity, live television and wireless video services. The combination of this offering with the advanced Thales AVANT entertainment system firmly aligns the Thales In Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) business to its long-term focus on connected services for passengers and airline operators within all industry segments, from premium to low-cost.

Robin Hayes, President of JetBlue referenced the additional benefits of the deal to the airline, “JetBlue was careful to find a buyer that will be a key partner in advancing IFEC solutions. I am confident that Thales will continue to deliver innovation and long term value.”  

With more than 500 employees and projected revenues for 2014 estimated at over US$150m, Florida-based LiveTV is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thales USA, reporting to Dominique Giannoni, vice president Thales IFEC business. 

As a result, Thales strengthens its operational footprint in the USA and enhances the Group’s global IFEC presence.

“Our evolving product and service portfolio will enable airlines, on any fleet-size, aircraft type or route structure, to offer their passengers a highly robust connected experience before, during and after flight. The capabilities we now have strengthen our foundation as both a leading In Flight Entertainment and Connectivity systems manufacturer and connectivity service provider” Alan Pellegrini, CEO, Thales USA

 

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