PRNewswire-FirstCall TOKYO Nov. 12 :

Japan Airlines (JAL) and Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of Boeing ,
today announced the signing of a definitive service agreement that will
bring real-time, high speed connectivity to the leading Asian carrier`s
passengers and airline operations.

The agreement outlines the installation of the Connexion by Boeing(SM)
mobile information service on JAL`s long-haul fleet of 68 aircraft,
including firm and optional. As the Asian launch customer for the
Connexion by Boeing service, JAL will help pioneer in-flight connectivity
in the region. Installations will begin in 2004, with passenger service
expected to begin on routes originating from Japan to London. Financial
terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

During the press conference in Tokyo announcing the completion of contract
negotiations, Connexion by Boeing President Scott Carson outlined the
importance of the agreement and broadband connectivity to the Asian
market, for the airline industry and for peripheral industries that stand
to benefit from new technologies and an enhanced passenger and crew
communication capability.
“As the airline industry continues its recovery and airlines strive for
competitive advantages, they are actively seeking services that add value
to their operations, can help reduce operational costs and provide the
enhanced connectivity that business and leisure passengers are seeking,”
said Carson. “Japan Airlines has openly embraced broadband technology as a
well-conceived, cost-effective solution, and as a brand differentiator in
the eyes of their airline competitors and with the traveling public. We
are so very pleased to have them as our launch customer in Asia.”

“By introducing this Connexion by Boeing Internet connection we are
providing customers who like to be active during their flights in either
business or leisure pursuits with a greatly value-added level of service,”
said Katsumi Chiyo, Executive Officer, International Passenger, Japan
Airlines.
JAL passengers aboard an aircraft equipped with the Connexion by Boeing
service can use the high-speed connectivity to access the Internet and
firewall-protected corporate intranets, send outgoing emails or open large
attachments from incoming emails; receive news, weather or destination
information; and view web-based entertainment content.

Boeing has a strong history of cooperation with airlines and industry in
the Asia Pacific region and this year is celebrating the golden
anniversary of its operations in Japan. Those relationships continue today
and include Connexion by Boeing`s ongoing work with several of the world`s
leading airlines in the region and also through its work with Mitsubishi
Electric Corporation, the producer of the next-generation airborne antenna
for broadband satellite connectivity and with Space Communications
Corporation, a provider of ground station and satellite services.

About Japan Airlines
-
Asia`s biggest airline, Japan Airlines (JAL) is currently integrating its
operations with domestic partner Japan Air System (JAS) and serves 178
airports in 30 countries with a fleet of some 280 aircraft. After
integration is completed in April 2004, the new JAL Group will rank as
second in the world in terms of total sales revenues. JAL`s fleet includes
more than 80 Boeing 747s and the company was the first airline in the
world to take delivery of 100 Boeing 747 aircraft. JAL recently took
delivery of its 150th wide-bodied Boeing jet.

About Connexion by Boeing
-
Connexion by Boeing is the mobile information services provider bringing
broadband Internet, data and entertainment connectivity to mobile
travelers. The Boeing business unit recently announced a high-speed
connectivity solution for the business aviation market, and also announced
definitive service agreements with Lufthansa and Scandinavian Airlines
System to equip their fleets of long-haul aircraft with the service
beginning in early 2004. In addition, both All-Nippon Airways and
Singapore Airlines have announced their intent to install the Connexion by
Boeing service on its long-range aircraft. For service-specific
information visit the Connexion by Boeing portal at
http://www.connexionbyboeing.com/ or for general information
http://www.boeing.com/connexion.

About Mitsubishi Electric
-
With over 80 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality
products to both corporate clients and general consumers all over the
world, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is a recognized world leader in the
manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment
used in information processing and communications, space development and
satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology,
energy, transportation and building equipment. The company has operations
in 35 countries and recorded consolidated group sales of 3,639 billion yen
(US$30.3 billion*) in the year ended March 31, 2003. For more information,
visit http://global.mitsubishielectric.com/
About Space Communications Corporation
-
Space Communications Corporation was established in 1985 as a pioneer in
the satellite communications business in Japan. Currently SCC operates
four uniquely different and sophisticated “SUPERBIRD” satellites in
geo-stationary orbits. Together they provide satellite links for diverse
applications including video transmissions, satellite broadcasting,
high-speed digital communications and emergency network support. SCC also
dedicates our full resources to the provision of a broad spectrum of
services and solutions in SCC Teleport Center, one of largest Teleports in
Japan; these include uplink and other operational services, consulting,
applications development, satellite Internet/Intranet services, broadband
contents distribution, and digital contents distribution services for
cable TV operators. For more information, please visit
http://www.superbird.co.jp/english/top.html

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