AIRBUS And Tenzing Communications Close to In-Flight e-Mail Deal

Industry sources are saying that Boeing arch-rival AIRBUS is close to concluding a deal to provide in-flight e-mail with Redmond, WA.-based Tenzing Communications, according to automotive/aerospace industries research and analysis site e MOTION! REPORTS.net (www.emotionreports.net and www.emotionreports.com).

In a story to be posted shortly, ER's England-based Aerotechnologies Editor Ian McInnes says such a deal could have profound implications for the marketing goals of Boeing's Connexion system. The company having just announced its intent to move its headquarters to Chicago -- a former production location for B-29 bombers during World War II.

``This Tenzing/AIRBUS deal, if it really is happening, could make a major dent in Boeing's forecast for connexion, currently at $10 billion by 2004,'' says McInnes. ``AIRBUS said last year that they would launch their own service sometime in the first half of 2002 on the new A340-600 aircraft. It looks as if they may have decided it was a better idea to go with Tenzing now and so gain a stride on arch-rival Boeing.'' Jim Miller, Senior Director of Airline Alliances for Tenzing Europe, Middle East and Africa refused to confirm or deny the report. AIRBUS officials declined comment.
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