Spafax is driving change in the in-flight entertainment (IFE) content sector. Literally!
The company has launched a new IFE content provisioning and loading service with Air Canada that "closes the loop and gives Air Canada a single point of contact for all its in-flight entertainment deliverables", says Spafax executive vice-president media & publishing director Katrin Kopvillem.
"This will significantly improve the timely delivery of its industry leading monthly AVOD [audio/video on demand] content."
And yes, those snazzy Spafax trucks are helping to make this contract possible.
Content loading is handled by a number of different players in the airport environment. Some carriers use internal departments or their catering services, others use services provided by the hardware manufacturers, and there are also a number of companies specialized in IFE delivery. Many of them started when it was a tape based world and have now had to service the digital AVOD entertainment platforms.
"Air Canada previously used such a specialized company and we won the business through a competitive tender process," reveals Kopvillem.
Air Canada offers Thales IFE hardware on its aircraft.
Since the carrier signed for Spafax's new content loading service, "we've had success over our first 3 cycles delivering content to the entire Air Canada fleet not only within their delivery window but also exceeding their expectations and implementing efficiencies that have reduced the loading time on some aircraft types by 50%", she says.
But will other carriers follow Air Canada's lead?
Key quote from Spafax CEO Niall McBain:
"Spafax is all about the customer experience with IFE - from end to end - speed and accuracy of the operational delivery is an important part of the package. We're looking to replicate this service for other airline clients across their hardware platforms."Kopvillem, meanwhile, says props are also due the Bullet Digital team "who we're working with on this co-venture and to the Spafax team who integrated this service into our systems and processes! It was a hectic few months and we all had a lot to learn, but, looking at the pictures attached, we've made quite an impression - now not only in the air, but on the ground as well!"
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