Avionics Update: Intheairnet acquires passenger networks

Irvine, Calif.-based Intheairnet last month announced it has purchased most of the assets of Passenger Networks, a Santa, Ana, Calif. maker of airborne computer servers, satellite antennas and cabin software applications. Intheairnet, a spin-off of avionics maker Rogerson Kratos formed to develop a line of in-flight entertainment products, is developing digital architecture for broadband and wireless technologies in the passenger compartment. The acquistion of Passenger Networks, a hardware supplier to Boeing’s Connexion satellite data service, will allow Intheairnet to develop satellite TV, Web surfing and e-mail service for aircraft passengers, said company chairman and CEO Michael Rogerson. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.