Singapore Airlines Announces Trial to Go Paperless
In its latest move towards more environmentally-friendly operations, with the ultimate aim of a paperless cabin,
Singapore Airlines will progressively introduce an electronic version of magazines on its award-winning KrisWorld
in-flight entertainment system. As a first step, the airline will offer in electronic format its three in-flight
magazines - SilverKris, KrisShop and KrisWorld – as part of a trial with a privately held Singapore-based company,
SmarttPapers Aviation Pte Ltd.
SilverKris, SIA’s travel magazine, KrisShop, the airline’s in-flight sales catalogue and KrisWorld, SIA’s in-flight
entertainment guide will be the first publications featured as part of the in-flight entertainment system offerings.
The SmarttPapers™ application uses a patented file compression technology to compress and transform magazines and
newspaper contents into a digital format for integration into the in-flight entertainment system.
In line with efforts to reduce the amount of paper carried on board, which reduces weight and saves fuel, the airline
aims to extend this initiative to other publications at a later date, including menu cards and the more than 100
international and local magazines currently carried system-wide. The plan is also to introduce e-newspapers and e-books
on board using the same technology.
Singapore Airlines will be the first in the world to have this unique feature on its aircraft fleet equipped with the
latest Panasonic eX2™ in-flight entertainment system (IFE), starting with two Boeing 777-300ERs from 31 July, followed
by two Airbus A380s. More A380s and B777-300ERs, as well as other aircraft fitted with the eX2 system – Airbus A330-300s
and A340-500s – will have this feature included in the fleet.
“This opens up a wide range of opportunities to benefit our customers and at the same time results in less weight in the
aircraft,” said Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice President Product & Services, Mr Yap Kim Wah. “E-books and e-magazines have gained popularity and we want to offer these to our customers.”
Winston Wei, CEO of SmarttPapers Aviation Pte Ltd added, “We are pleased to be chosen by Singapore Airlines to enable
this revolutionary onboard experience. Customers will be able to enjoy a wide range of current and archived publications
starting with Singapore Airline’s three in-flight magazines in high resolution from the comfort of their seats. Features
will include a keyword search, personalised font size and different zooming levels to aid reading.”
ENDS