Singapore equipes 777-300ER's with air bags

AmSafe Inc., the leading provider of restraint products to the aviation, defense and ground transportation markets, today announced that its AmSafe Aviation Inflatable Restraint (AAIR®) system will be installed on every Business and First-class seat on 19 new Singapore Airlines (NYSE: SGF) Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. This marks the first time a commercial carrier has equipped two full classes of passenger seats with this state-of-the-art aircraft safety system.

“Recent high-profile events involving survivable aircraft accidents, backed up by our own data demonstrating that airbags on aircraft save lives, highlight the wisdom of this decision by Singapore Airlines,” said Bill Hagan, president of AmSafe Aviation. “Our agreement with Singapore Airlines demonstrates their commitment to the highest levels of passenger safety, and brings aviation airbag technology to a broader group of airline operators and the flying public. We are convinced that more airbags on aircraft will enhance safety across the industry.”

Singapore Airlines, recently honored by Business Traveller Germany as the “Best Airlines to the Far East and the Pacific,” will feature the AAIR system on 50 Business and First-class seats on each of its new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

“As seating manufacturers and carriers seek out additional safety measures to enhance aircraft, and as more of the flying public become aware of the increased safety afforded by our AAIR system, it will only be a matter of time before airbag restraints are readily available nose to tail,” Hagan said.

The AAIR technology is unique in that, unlike automotive systems, the airbag is integrated into the seatbelt such that when sensors detect an impending survivable aircraft incident the airbag deploys up and away from the seat occupant to protect the head and torso from injuries. In fact, the AAIR system is specifically designed to meet stringent head injury criteria or HIC, a predictive measure of the likelihood of a brain concussion and other injuries typical in a severe aircraft impact.

The AAIR is featured on a variety of seating arrangements on more than 20 commercial airlines around the world, including Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Air New Zealand, and has logged millions of flight hours since entering service 2001. For more information on AmSafe and the AAIR system, visit http://www.amsafe.com.