ATLANTA, May 19, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) announced today that EMS's Defense & Space Systems division has received an order from LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ:JBLU), to provide Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) antenna systems for Virgin Blue Airlines of Australia. The total value to EMS is estimated at $6.8 million USD over 12 months. The service being provided to Virgin Blue Airlines will bring twenty-four channels of FOXTEL and AUSTAR programming directly to the passenger seat, real-time during the flight.
EMS has been teamed with LiveTV since its inception to provide satellite antenna systems for live in-flight entertainment on aircraft for JetBlue Airways, Frontier Airlines and WestJet Airlines. The antenna systems are currently installed on more than 115 commercial aircraft. In addition to production antennas, the Virgin Blue order develops a new configuration of the DBS antenna system for LiveTV to meet the requirements of specific aircraft installations, satellite locations, and signal polarizations available in Australia.
"We are pleased to extend our valuable partnership with LiveTV and their premiere customers for antenna systems that operate outside the continental United States. This program allows EMS to further develop the technology necessary to serve additional aircraft types and additional geographical markets in support of LiveTV," said Jay Grove, senior vice president and general manager of EMS's Defense & Space Systems Division
This will be the first satellite television service offered by an airline outside of North America.
About LiveTV
LiveTV is an innovative provider of in-flight entertainment products and services such as DIRECTV(r), Bell ExpressVu, XM Satellite Radio, wireless aircraft data link services, and cabin surveillance systems for commercial aircraft. LiveTV is the largest provider of satellite TV systems to commercial airlines. LiveTV is a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways Corporation.
About Virgin Blue
Award-winning airline Virgin Blue and sister carrier Pacific Blue currently operate a fleet of 49 modern Boeing 737 aircraft flying to 21 destinations across metropolitan and regional Australia, as well as four International destinations taking in New Zealand, Vanuatu and Fiji. For Virgin Blue bookings log on to www.virginblue.com.au or call 13 6789. For Pacific Blue bookings log on to www.flypacificblue.com or call 13 1645 from Australia or 0800 670 000 from New Zealand.
About EMS Technologies, Inc.
EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) is a leading innovator in the design and manufacture of wireless, satellite and defense solutions, and focuses its unique range of advanced technologies on the needs of broadband and mobile information users. The Company is headquartered in Atlanta, has approximately 1,800 workers worldwide, and operates manufacturing facilities in Atlanta, Ottawa, Montreal and Brazil. EMS Technologies' Defense and Space Systems Division develops advanced technology systems for military and space applications. The Division provides critical subsystems and components for airborne, commercial and space-based communication, and radar and electronic warfare systems.
For more information, visit EMS on the World Wide Web at www.ems-t.com.