Thursday, January 5, 2023

Thales Reinforces its Border & Travel Offer With the New Multimodal Biometric Pod

 PARIS LA DÉFENSE - Wednesday, 04. January 2023 AETOSWire Print 



Thales, a worldwide expert in border & travel management, launches a new multimodal biometric solution that simplifies authorities’ processes and user experiences at borders.


Integrating iris and face recognition, this innovative Pod offers a multimodal biometric capture and authentication mean, to both enroll and verify travelers ID.


Available as standalone or integrated into self-service solutions, Thales’ highly accurate and efficient biometric pod perfectly fits borders authorities’ environments and contributes to reducing processing time.


(BUSINESS WIRE) -- The new Thales multimodal biometric pod is an efficient enrolment and identification solution that helps smoothly manage travelers’ border and immigration processes. Indeed the combination of ‘iris & face’ capture and recognition capacities, enables a fast and secure people enrolment and ID verification at borders. The pod features a modern design that perfectly suits the authority’s needs in high secure environments.


As the travel industry, borders authorities face the need to win in operational efficiency and user convenience. Since years, biometrics has been used by authorities to simplify traveler experiences at borders, speeding up people enrolment and ID checks (ex: the eGates or Entry-Exit Systems). With the Thales multimodal biometric pod, borders authorities can easily integrate automation into their processes, without compromising on passenger and employee security nor on the confidentiality of the data exchanged as the solution offers ‘security and privacy by design’ parameters.


Featuring a camera and a high-resolution LCD screen, the biometric pod is able to recognise pre-enrolled travelers’ iris and face to a distance of 0.5m and up to a record of 1.5m, with an excellent accuracy. Boosted by AI, the solution captures dual iris and face in two seconds, leading to swifter operations and visibly shorter waiting queues. Thales biometric pods can be set at any borders check point (airports, seaports, etc.) managing both the first traveler enrolment upon arrival and quick biometric checks whenever required (upon territory exit, internal flights etc).


“The combination of biometric patterns applied to touchless people authentication, is a sought-after solution for many stakeholders to address security, operational and convenience challenges. Thales relies on its in-house biometrics, border and smart travel expertise to design, develop and deliver top tier responsible biometric solutions to meet users’ expectations and authorities’ requirements”, said Youzec Kurp, VP Identity and Biometric Solutions at Thales.


About Thales


Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies, investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations – connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum technologies – to build a confident future crucial for the development of our societies. The Group provides its customers – businesses, organizations and governments – in the defense, aeronautics, space, transport, and digital identity and security domains with solutions, services and products that help them fulfil their critical role, consideration for the individual being the driving force behind all decisions.


Thales has 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2021, the Group generated sales of €16.2 billion.


PLEASE VISIT


Thales Group

Digital Identity and Security

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Contacts

PRESS CONTACT


Thales, Media Relations

Digital Identity and Security

Vanessa Viala

+33 (0)6 07 34 00 34

vanessa.viala@thalesgroup.com

Most On-time Airlines and Airports of 2022 Unveiled by Cirium

LONDON - Wednesday, 04. January 2023


Delta Air Lines celebrates its second straight year as Cirium’s Platinum Award winner for global operational excellence.

Azul Airlines was the global leader in on-time performance.

Delta Air Lines led in North America, Iberia was the top performer in Europe, Azul in Latin America, Thai AirAsia in Asia Pacific and Oman Air in the Middle East and Africa.

StarFlyer was the leading low-cost carrier.

Haneda Airport was the top performing global airport in 2022.

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Azul Airlines has been named as the global leader for airline on-time performance for 2022 by Cirium, the global aviation analytics leader. The Cirium 2022 On-Time Performance Review is the global gold standard for airline and airport performance and it will be published later this week, containing results for all airline categories, more detail and analysis.


The past year saw a challenging operational environment across the world, particularly in Europe and North America, with many airlines and airports experiencing delays, disruptions and resource challenges. Others continue to emerge from Covid restrictions, especially in the Asia Pacific region. Despite this climate, many airlines and airports worldwide excelled.


For the second consecutive year Delta Air Lines was honored with the Cirium Platinum Award for global operational excellence. This award considers a number of factors including on-time performance, operational complexity and an airline’s ability to limit the impact of flight disruption to its passengers.


Alongside Delta’s Cirium Platinum Award, Azul was the global leader for on-time performance. The winners in the regions were Delta Air Lines in North America, Thai AirAsia for Asia Pacific, Oman Air for the Middle East and Africa, Azul in Latin America and Iberia in Europe. StarFlyer was the leading low-cost carrier and Haneda Airport was the top airport performer globally. More in-depth results are available below and will also appear at www.cirium.com, with the full report due to be published later this week.


An on-time flight is defined as a flight that arrives within 15 minutes of the scheduled gate arrival. For an airport it is defined as departing within 15 minutes of its scheduled departure.


Jeremy Bowen, Cirium CEO said: “Congratulations to Delta Air Lines for its excellent performance in Cirium’s 2022 On-Time Performance Review, getting its passengers to their destinations on time as the sector revived during 2022. Ramping back up operations so quickly after an enforced slowdown is not easy to do and the top-ranked airlines and airports in Cirium’s 2022 On-Time Performance Review deserve their recognition for this well-orchestrated achievement.”


During 2022 airlines had difficulty anticipating the sudden recovery in demand. They had been disappointed on several previous occasions throughout the pandemic, when it looked like demand was picking up, only for it to reverse course in the face of new Covid variants. When the recovery finally came this past year, the industry—including airlines, airports, air navigation providers and other stakeholders—struggled with understaffing and insufficient capacity. Delays and cancellations became issues. In time, however, operations greatly improved as the industry added workers and adjusted capacity. 2023 appears to hold great promise for the aviation industry.


Cirium looks forward to continuing to lead the way worldwide in monitoring aviation on-time performance in the New Year, as the industry adjusts to post-pandemic norms as they develop. The company’s data is designed to provide industry stakeholders with a neutral, third-party perspective, based on the widest and deepest pool of data collected and curated from more than 600 sources of real-time flight information. These include the airlines themselves, airports, global distribution systems, positional data, civil aviation authorities, air navigation service providers, proprietary data partnerships and the internet. Cirium’s on-time performance data is backed further by a completely independent board of advisors, comprised of industry experts with an unbiased view of the aviation sector. The board’s oversight ensures accuracy and proper representation of all the information the company presents.


About Cirium


Cirium brings together powerful data and analytics to keep the world moving. Delivering insight, built from decades of experience in the sector, enabling travel companies, aircraft manufacturers, airports, airlines and financial institutions, among others, to make logical and informed decisions which shape the future of travel, growing revenues and enhancing customer experiences. Cirium is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.


For further information please follow Cirium updates on LinkedIn or Twitter or visit cirium.com.


 


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230103005047/en/



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Contacts

For media enquiries:

Cirium PR: media@cirium.com

The PC Agency (UK and Europe): cirium@pc.agency

Juliett Alpha Media Relations (Americas): cirium@juliettalpha.com

TrainTracks (Japan): cirium@traintracks.jp

Tribe PR (China): cirium@thetribechina.com

American Express Opens 16,000 Square Foot Centurion Lounge at San Francisco International Airport

SAN FRANCISCO - Wednesday, 04. January 2023

The lounge is double in size with a new menu from James Beard Award-nominated Executive Chef Ravi Kapur and locally sourced wine curated by Centurion Lounge Wine Director Anthony Giglio

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Today American Express (NYSE:AXP) reopened the newly expanded Centurion Lounge at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). At 16,000 square feet the lounge is now nearly double in size and features more seating, an additional bar with specialty wine flights curated by sommelier and Centurion Lounge Wine Director Anthony Giglio, and a new menu from San Francisco’s Liholiho Yacht Club Executive Chef Ravi Kapur.

“We’re excited to head into the new year with the opening of our Centurion Lounge at San Francisco International Airport,” stated Pablo Rivero, Vice President & General Manager, Global Lounge Experiences. “With exceptional food, wine and art inspired by Northern California, this well-appointed lounge is designed to leave Card Members feeling refreshed and ready for their travels.”

The Centurion Lounge at SFO will now have more space for eligible Card Members to enjoy, including two wine bars and café areas, additional restrooms, private phone rooms, several private workspaces, and more. The lounge is located in Terminal 3 on the mezzanine level.

LOCALLY SOURCED WINE1

The lounge will feature a new bar where guests can enjoy specialty wine flights highlighting four regional wines curated by renowned wine authority Anthony Giglio. The new bar complements the existing wine wall where guests can sample wines from across California. The wine flights will rotate seasonally, starting today with a Sonoma Chardonnay flight and a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon flight:

Sonoma Chardonnay Flight

    Gundlach Bundschu Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2020

    Head High Sonoma County Chardonnay 2021

    Sonoma Cutrer Les Pierres Sonoma Valley Chardonnay 2019

    Walt Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2019

Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Flight

    Emblem Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

    Miner Emily's Cuvee Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

    The Critic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

    Twenty Rows Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

“As San Francisco is globally known for its world-class wine, the wine menu in the Centurion Lounge at San Francisco International Airport is fully dedicated to highlighting local California grapes,” said Anthony Giglio, sommelier and Centurion Lounge Wine Director. “For our first-ever wine flight experience, I’m thrilled to feature two of America’s most famous and established wine regions - Sonoma and Napa Valley.”

ELEVATED DINING AND DESIGN

The lounge will offer a new seasonal menu that celebrates Bay Area purveyors from Liholiho Yacht Club Executive Chef Ravi Kapur. The Hawaiian-born, James Beard Award-nominated chef will continue to bring his unique flair to the Centurion Lounge at SFO with dishes inspired by his lineage and family memories including, Kochujang marinated chicken thighs, wild rice and coconut soup, and black vinegar and honey glazed baby carrots.

Consumers appreciate premium dining options when traveling through airport lounges. A recent Amex Trendex* survey found that a majority of respondents (64%) said that premium food and beverage offerings are their favorite parts of airport lounges.

The lounge will showcase two custom floor-to-ceiling wallcoverings by abstract artist Tracie Cheng, and new interior design that takes cues from the local vineyards, landscape, and the iconic San Francisco fog to give guests a sense of relaxation.

UNPARALLELED ACCESS

With more lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market and the only credit card issuer with a proprietary lounge at SFO, the American Express Global Lounge Collection™ is just one of the many ways American Express supports Card Members through their travels. American Express continues to enhance the Centurion Lounge network through new locations and expanding existing lounges. American Express has announced plans to open new lounge locations at the Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C. and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL) in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

*AMEX TRENDEX METHODOLOGY

This Amex Trendex online poll was conducted between November 4th – November 7th, 2022, among a sample of 2000 Adults with an HHI> 70k+ who travel by plane at least once a year. The interviews were conducted online. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points

ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS

American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products, services and corporate sustainability information: personal cards, business cards and services, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, Accertify, Kabbage, Resy, corporate card, business travel, diversity and inclusion, corporate sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance reports.

ABOUT THE CENTURION LOUNGE

The Centurion Lounge is the signature lounge program within the broader American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes access to American Express Centurion Lounges, international American Express lounges, Delta Sky Club® for Card Members flying on Delta, Priority Pass™ Select Lounges upon enrollment, Airspace Lounges, MAG U.S. Escape Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges--a total of more than 1,400 lounges across 140 countries and counting.

Eligible Card Members can find a lounge at the Global Lounge Collection website or by using the American Express® App. They can also check into select Centurion Lounges through the mobile check-in tool within the American Express® App.

ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

SFO is excited to welcome travelers back to the skies with an airport experience featuring seamless access, thoughtful amenities, sustainable design and inspiring artwork and exhibits.

For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, cultural exhibitions, ground transportation and more, visit www.flysfo.com. Follow us on twitter.com/flysfo and facebook.com/flysfo.

Source: American Express Company
Location: U.S.

1 Must be of legal age to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221231005003/en/

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Contacts

AMERICAN EXPRESS
Ali Barlow
Ali.barlow@aexp.com


Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Intelsat and J-AIR Offer the First Free IFEC on Regional Aircraft in Japan


 MCLEAN, Va. 

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks and leading provider of inflight connectivity (IFC), along with Tokyo-based Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. today announced Intelsat’s connectivity service will launch on the airlines' Embraer E190 aircraft for its subsidiary airline, J-AIR Co. Ltd.


Japan Airlines has installed Intelsat’s 2Ku system on the first of J-AIR’s E190 aircraft and will be installing 13 additional aircraft by autumn 2024. The airline has been offering free wireless entertainment services since 2016. By adding 2Ku, this will make J-AIR the first regional aircraft in Japan to offer inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) services, as well as the first E190 aircraft equipped globally with the Intelsat 2Ku system.


“We have worked closely with Intelsat to deliver the best connectivity experience on Japan Airlines and the JAL group fleet,” said Keisuke Suzuki, SVP, Customer Experience of Japan Airlines. “Intelsat’s capable and reliable 2Ku system will provide miles of entertainment to our customers making J-AIR the first regional aircraft offering the IFC services in Japan.”


“At Intelsat, our mission is to provide quality, reliable connectivity for work and entertainment which is essential for airline partners and passengers alike,” commented Dave Bijur, senior vice president of Commercial for Intelsat Commercial Aviation. “While having wireless entertainment was an excellent first step, J-AIR sees the importance of connectivity as well. Adding 2Ku will enable the same free inflight internet experience they have had since 2017 on the larger jets. For Intelsat, this is a great showcase for other E190 operators around the world who want to offer a free service to all their passengers.”


The service is now available on select flights.


For more information about Intelsat’s commercial aviation connectivity products, visit here.


About Intelsat


As the foundational architects of satellite technology, Intelsat operates the world’s most trusted satellite telecom network. We apply our unparalleled expertise and global scale to connect people, businesses, and communities, no matter how difficult the challenge. Intelsat is building the future of global communications with the world’s first hybrid, multi-orbit, software-defined 5G network designed for simple, seamless, and secure coverage precisely when and where our customers most need it. Follow the leader in global connectivity and “Imagine Here,” with us, at Intelsat.com.


About J-AIR Co., Ltd.


J-AIR is an airline based in Osaka, Japan, a subsidiary of Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. and serving for domestic passengers in Japan. The airline has a fleet of 14 tails of E190 aircraft and 18 tails of E170 aircraft.


Follow Us on Social Media:

Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube


 


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221228005266/en/



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Contacts

Media:

Melissa Longo - melissa.longo@intelsat.com; +1 240-308-1881

Dubai restaurant week highlights Europe’s ‘hidden’ flavors

 DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, 04. January 2023

During the restaurant weeks action that took place on 3-12/12/2022 in several restaurants in Dubai in the frame of the implementation of the EU Financed campaign Discover European Treasures, the consumers had the opportunity to discover two delicious European products, the precious and superior quality spice Krokos Kozanis PDO from Greece and the delicious Magiun de Prune Topoloveni PGI from Romania!

The Restaurant week action took place at the restaurants Airwerks café restaurant, Myocum restaurant ,Bikers café , Punjabi deira, Mass Biryani ,Sanaa Restaurant, Nayaab Hyderabad and Brothers Restaurant.

The EU Financed campaign Discover European Treasures promotes the superior quality Krokos Kozanis PDO from Greece and the delicious Magiun de Prune Topoloveni PGI to consumers in Dubai and Vietnam. Krokos Kozanis PDO is the world’s most expensive spice, is the dried red stigmas of the autumn-flowering crocus. It is known for its properties as a dye as for its unique and distinctively pungent, honey-like flavor and aroma.

Magiun de prune Topoloveni PGI is a concentrated paste made of fresh, homogeneous, viscous, easily spreadable plums, which is used in the diet of people of all ages - from the age of six months when the diet diversification begins), to diabetics, because has a low glycemic index (on the recommendation of the attending physician).

For those who would like to meet our products and the participant organizations visit our website: https://www.europeantreasures.eu/index.php/en/ or Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eutreasures and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eutreasures/



Contacts

Melwyn Abraham

melwyn@matrixdubai.com

 

Quectel Announces Ultra-Compact LTE Cat.1 bis Module to Address Mid-Range IoT Applications

 SAN DIEGO - Wednesday, 04. January 2023


(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Quectel Wireless Solutions, a global IoT solutions provider, has announced the launch of the latest addition to its LTE module portfolio, the industrial grade EG800Q-EU LTE Cat.1 bis wireless communication module. An ultra-compact module in LGA form factor, the EG800Q-EU offers greater flexibility in IoT designs and enables a wider range of IoT use cases, particularly for size sensitive applications.


Based upon the Qualcomm® QCX216 LTE IoT Modem from Qualcomm Technologies Inc., the EG800Q-EU is an LTE only module for customers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel markets with LTE FDD band coverage of B1/ 3/ 5/ 7/ 8/ 20/ 28. The module delivers a maximum downlink data rate of 10 Mbps while enhancing battery life, critical for a variety of high-performing IoT applications including smart utility meters, asset trackers, e-mobility, parking meters, and home automation.


The EG800Q-EU’s support of Cat.1 bis allows it to use a single antenna, balancing cost and performance and making the module an ideal solution for IoT terminals that are designed to be compact and cost-effective.


“We feel very excited that our EG800Q-EU is one of the industry’s first Cat.1 modules based on the Qualcomm QCX216 LTE IoT Modem, a cost-optimized, power efficient global Cat.1 bis modem,” said Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO of Quectel. “The module’s unrivalled advantages make it ideal for a multitude of mid-range use cases and deployment scenarios which demand reliable and cost-effective communication solutions.”


The EG800Q-EU has a compact form factor of 15.8mm × 17.7mm × 2.4mm, enabling integrators and developers to design size sensitive applications easily. Its advanced LGA package enables fully automated manufacturing for high-volume applications.


The EG800Q-EU also provides a rich set of Internet protocols, and industry-standard interfaces including USB 2.0/ UART/ I2C/ PCM/ USIM, extending the suitability of the module to a variety of IoT applications such as asset management, remotely managed access control (RMAC), and smart grid. Additionally, the module supports DFOTA to enable automatic firmware upgrade and integrated Wi-Fi positioning services when there is no GPS signal indoors.


To help customers to facilitate their designs, Quectel offers a variety of high-performance LTE Cat.1 antennas which boost wireless connectivity significantly. IoT developers can bundle the EG800Q-EU module with Quectel’s antennas and pre-certification services, reducing both cost and time-to-market for their Cat.1 devices.


Engineering samples of the Quectel EG800Q-EU are available now.


About Quectel


Quectel’s passion for a smarter world drives us to accelerate IoT innovation. A highly customer-centric organization, we are a global IoT solutions provider backed by outstanding support and services. Our growing global team of over 4,000 professionals sets the pace for innovation in cellular, GNSS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, antennas and IoT connectivity.


With regional offices and support across the globe, our international leadership is devoted to advancing IoT and helping build a smarter world.


For more information: www.quectel.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.


Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm patented technologies are licensed by Qualcomm Incorporated.


Qualcomm is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.


 


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230103005121/en/



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Contacts

Phil Rawcliffe, Head of Communications

phil.rawcliffe@quectel.com


 

New Mobile Game Pucca Puzzle Adventure is Now Open For Global Pre-registration

 (BUSINESS WIRE)--A global mobile puzzle game “Pucca Puzzle Adventure” will soon be released.


TAKEONE COMPANY, the developer of the BTS World mobile game, announced that the global pre-registration for Pucca Puzzle Adventure opened on Google Play and App Store on the 27th.


As a special event to celebrate the pre-registration, all users who pre-register are offered 1,600 gems and 100 tokens used for drawing legendary characters.


Pucca Puzzle Adventure features the character “Pucca”, developed in 2002, who was ranked globally as the most popular character in Korea for six consecutive years until 2021.


Pucca Puzzle Adventure is a puzzle game where the main character Pucca goes on an adventure with an expedition to defeat Dong King, a greedy villain with a scheme to take over the world. It features over 100 unique and adorable characters including those from the original animated cartoon. The game includes match 3 puzzles, which can be solved through the strategic use of elemental properties, with RPG elements, such as leveling up characters, to clear over 1,000 stages.


Players can enjoy a variety of missions as Pucca Puzzle Adventure provides different game modes, including Boss Raid, Puzzle Quest, Challenge Mode and Village in addition to the main stage. Under the slogan, “Break Free,” the game allows users to enjoy exciting animations and sound effects when solving puzzles.


TAKEONE COMPANY expects to capture the hearts of global mobile game users with the popular Korean character “Pucca.”


Following the one-month of pre-registration event, Pucca Puzzle Adventure will be officially released globally at the end of January 2023. Details can be found on the game’s official website as well as on Twitter and Facebook.


For more information on Pucca Puzzle Adventure, follow its Social Media channels or contact: takeonepr@takeone.co.kr.

-Twitter: https://twitter.com/PuccaAdventure

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PuccaAdventure



Permalink

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Contacts

TAKEONE COMPANY

HaYoung Song

takeonepr@takeone.co.kr