January 30, 2006

eRouteManual to be used in A380 as class III solution for first time – Easy upgrades for existing models A320, A330 and A340

All Airbus aircraft will soon be able to navigate using the electronic charts from Lufthansa Systems. The eRouteManual from the German IT provider can be permanently integrated in new aircraft or retrofitted in planes that are already in use. Airbus and Lufthansa Systems signed a contract on January 27 in Toulouse covering their extensive cooperation in the introduction of the paperless cockpit.

“The Airbus A380 will be the first aircraft in the world to use the eRouteManual as a class III Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) solution. This gives us two reasons to celebrate,“ said Wolfgang F. W. Gohde, CEO of Lufthansa Systems, at the signing of the contract. “First, we are proud that our electronic chart solution will be integrated into the on-board information system of the A380. This highlights our pioneering role in the generation of electronic aeronautical charts,“ Gohde said. “And second, we are pleased that, starting immediately, our eRouteManual will be offered as a retrofit for Airbus aircraft that are already in operation. This means that we are making an important contribution to greater safety and improved efficiency in flight operations.“

The eRouteManual charts include taxiway displays for airports, approach and take-off charts, and a seamless worldwide enroute chart. It covers the most recent country- and airport-specific regulations and data. The database on which the charts are based is continually updated. Dynamic text placement during the composition of the charts is another key benefit of this solution. As Wolfgang F. W. Gohde explains, information is automatically placed where it fits best and does not cover up anything else, the clarity of the charts is greatly improved.

The eRouteManual offers three expandable levels of use for airlines. The most cutting-edge solution displays the charts and other information on separate, permanently integrated screens for the captain and co-pilot. In the Airbus A380, for example, these VDUs (Visual Display Units) are mounted to the left and right of the cockpit console in the pilot’s direct line of sight.

For aircraft that are already in service, the eRouteManual is offered on a wide variety of retrofit hardware solutions. This starts with normal laptops or tablet PCs, so called class I EFBs, to class II portable computers with aircraft mounting options to be used during all phases of the flight. Class III EFBs with fully integrated systems are available for all new aircraft.

The eRouteManual is an important milestone in our efforts to further digitize processes on board and on the ground,“ explained the CEO of Lufthansa Systems. According to Gohde, this applies to the state-of-the-art aircraft of today as well as the planes of tomorrow. Gohde said, “Our goal is to offer airlines a comprehensive, modular and technologically consistent platform for all flight processes on the ground and on board. It extends from route planning and Internet-supported crew briefing to the Electronic Flight Bag and gives our customers new opportunities to save costs.“

Note to editors:

Lufthansa Systems is one of the leading IT service providers for the airline and aviation industries worldwide. As systems integrator, the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group covers the entire range of IT services, including consulting, development, implementation and operation. Lufthansa Systems provides its IT infrastructure and operations services to a variety of industries. Headquartered in Kelsterbach near Frankfurt/Main, Germany, the company has branches in Germany and 17 countries and employs about 4,500 people worldwide. In business year 2004, Lufthansa Systems recorded sales of EUR 628 million.