A 'Giant Leap Forward' for Airline Onboard Sales?

The airlines want more of your money... and are looking for innovative and creative ways to get it. Hence, the ARINC announcement of SkyBuy, touted as 'the first complete in-flight payment and inventory control system designed for passenger cabin sales by airlines, caterers, and onboard retailers.'

According to ARINC, SkyBuy combines the MDT In-Flight sales application of Abanco LLC with wireless technology and global support from ARINC. SkyBuy wirelessly allows retail sales while it streamlines inventory tracking. ARINC and Abanco will be demonstrating SkyBuy September 8-10 at the International Flight Services Association Exposition (IFSA 2007) in Houston, Texas.

Unlike partial solutions, ARINC claims that SkyBuy solves all the logistical problems of in-flight sales by keeping sales devices on the plane. With SkyBuy, sales data is downloaded—and inventories are uploaded—wirelessly and automatically. SkyBuy eliminates much tedious paperwork and minimizes chances for inventory shrinkage.

“SkyBuy delivers all the elements of a complete onboard retail solution—the devices, the communications, the training, and the global support,” states Rolf Stefani, ARINC Senior Director, Technical Innovation Center. “It is the only comprehensive offering available.”

Wireless communication is the key to the SkyBuy system. The ARINC Mobile Communications Gateway (MCG) collects the sales data on board and wirelessly downloads data at each airport. Sales devices remain safely on board while the airline achieves virtual real-time inventory tracking. The MCG provides USB charging ports to keep airline sales devices fully charged without replacing batteries. It also adds future wireless flexibility. “The MCG high-speed connection can support other airline applications as well—such as maintenance and crew devices—for an even better return on investment in the future,” added Kemmetmueller.

Passengers can make payments with cash, credit cards, debit cards, frequent-flyer miles, prepaid cards, and even promotional coupons. The complete SkyBuy system is sold and supported only by ARINC.

FMI: www.arinc.com/skybuy