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China Eastern Airlines will install Rockwell Collins’ PAVES inflight entertainment (IFE) system on 30 Boeing 737NGs and 60 737 MAXs. Rockwell Collins said it was the “largest Chinese airline win in the history of [the company].” The company said it will also install various avionics systems on other aircraft in China Eastern’s fleet, including 70 Airbus A320neos, 15 A330 family aircraft, 60 737 MAXs and 50 737NGs. According to Rockwell Collins, the PAVES IFE system allows for hybrid IFE configurations supporting an airline’s requirements for unique configurations, such as in-seat IFE in first class and overhead IFE in economy. China Eastern Airlines has logged major order transactions with Boeing in the past 2 years, including a June 2014 order for 80 Boeing 737s, and a July 2015 order for 50 737-800s. <br/>

The chairman of Kenya Airways, Dennis Awori, has resigned in the face of mounting staff and public anger at management’s failure to turn around the loss-making airline fast enough. He will be replaced by Michael Joseph, a former CE of Safaricom, Kenya’s dominant mobile telecoms operator. Kenya Airways has been making increasing losses over the last 4 years after a failed expansion plan, disastrous fuel hedging strategy and slump in tourism following terrorist attacks and the 2014 outbreak of Ebola in west Africa. Awori was appointed the airline’s chairman last November and in the last 6 months the company’s fortunes have started to revive. Earlier this month Awori said he would quit this year. Kenya Airways’ share price has risen 61% in the last 2 weeks since it became clear that Awori would be resigning. <br/>