Astronics Corporation and Panasonic Avionics Bring High-Speed Connectivity and Global Television Services to Business Aviation

EAST AURORA, N.Y., Nov. 16, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Astronics Corporation ATRO, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Astronics AeroSat Corporation, and Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the world leader in inflight entertainment and communications, have formed a strategic partnership to bring superior, high-speed connectivity services and global live television programming to the Business & VVIP aviation market.

This partnership combines Astronics' tail-mounted SATCOM solutions with Panasonic's industry-leading Global Communications Services to offer high-speed, dedicated broadband data internet services; four channels of global television services and regional DBS-TV programming, all from a single antenna.

David Bruner, Vice President of Panasonic's Global Communications Services said, "For years, we have delivered superior high-speed communications services for commercial aircraft, and through this partnership, we are now able to offer true global broadband to the growing and demanding business and VVIP aviation market. Together with Astronics, we can provide dedicated bandwidth, higher speeds, unmatched television content and far superior system performance than any other solution offered today."

Dennis Ferguson, President for Astronics AeroSat said, "Since 1997, AeroSat has designed and delivered among the industry's highest performing and most efficient connectivity solutions for business and VVIP aircraft.  Working with Panasonic, we can now deliver a complete end-to-end package with an attractive upgrade path for existing data-only and TV-only aircraft operators that delivers broadband data internet and TV in a single antenna system." 

Both companies are showcasing their technology and solutions at the National Business Aviation Association Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2015) in Las Vegas, NV, from November 17 through November 19, 2015.  For more information visit Astronics AeroSat in booth #C8543 and Panasonic Avionics in booth #C13146.

ABOUT PANASONIC AVIONICS CORPORATION

Panasonic Avionics Corporation is the world's leading supplier of inflight entertainment and communication systems.  The company's best-in-class solutions, supported by professional maintenance services, fully integrate with the cabin enabling its customers to deliver the ultimate travel experiences with a rich variety of entertainment choices, resulting in improved quality communication systems and solutions, reduced time-to-market and lower overall costs.

Established in 1979, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, a U.S. corporation, is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation.  Headquartered in Lake Forest, California with over 4,100 employees and operations in 80 locations worldwide, it serves over 300 customers worldwide and provides IFEC systems on over 6,000 aircraft.   For additional information, please visit www.panasonic.aero.

ABOUT ASTRONICS CORPORATION

Astronics Corporation ATRO is a leading supplier of products to the global aerospace, defense, consumer electronics and semiconductor industries. Astronics' products include advanced, high-performance electrical power generation and distribution systems, lighting and safety systems, avionics products, aircraft structures, engineering design and systems certification, and automated test systems. Astronics' strategy is to increase its value by developing technologies and capabilities, either internally or through acquisition, and using those capabilities to provide innovative solutions to its targeted markets and other markets where its technology can be beneficial. Astronics Corporation, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, has a reputation for high-quality designs, exceptional responsiveness, strong brand recognition and best-in-class manufacturing practices. The Company routinely posts news and other important information on its website at www.astronics.com.

For more information on Astronics and its products, visit its website at www.Astronics.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. One can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "may," "will," "estimate" or other similar expressions. Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include the state of the aerospace, defense, electronics and semiconductor industries, the market acceptance of newly developed products, internal production capabilities, the timing of orders received, the status of customer certification processes and delivery schedules, the demand for and market acceptance of new or existing aircraft which contain the Company's products, the need for new and advanced test and simulation equipment, customer preferences and other factors which are described in filings by Astronics with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information in this news release whether to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in future operating results, financial conditions or prospects, or otherwise.