French firm Thales opens in-flight entertainment lab in Bengaluru

Thales, a French aerospace and defence firm, has opened an in-flight entertainment and services lab in Bengaluru.

Opening the lab marked a significant step towards enhancing both the passenger experience and operational efficiency of carriers globally, said Olivier Flous, senior vice-president, Engineering & Digital Transformation, Thales, here on Wednesday.

The new lab, opened at its existing Engineering Competence Centre in the city, will be dedicated to the development of in-flight entertainment (IFE) solutions and advanced tools for support and services to airlines, reinforcing India’s strategic position as an innovation hub for Thales.

“Our engineers at Thales in India will design, develop, and test innovative solutions to support the needs of Indian airlines and global customers,” officials at Thales said.

According to the company, aligned with the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, this lab will serve as a hub for the design, development, and testing of next-generation IFE systems. The lab would be equipped with advanced tools to support and serve airlines in India and around the world.

Mr. Flous said this new facility underscored Thales’ commitment towards developing future-ready aviation technologies in India, for India, and for the world. “We look forward to continuing to leverage our global technological expertise and India’s vast talent pool to foster a robust local civil aviation ecosystem.”

Speaking on the occasion, Marc Lamy, Consul General of France in Bengaluru, said, the inauguration of this inflight entertainment and services lab was a moment of immense pride, reflecting the vibrant spirit of innovation and partnership that defines both nations, France and India. “This perfectly embodies the spirit of the upcoming year 2026 designated by President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the ‘Indo-French Year of Innovation’,” he added.

State’s Industries Minister M.B. Patil said, Thales has been contributing significantly towards the growth of aerospace, defence, and cybersecurity and digital identity in Bengaluru and in India for years.

“Their Engineering Competence Centre has become an integral part of the local industry. Many congratulations to the Thales team for this significant milestone that will strengthen the aviation sector not just within Karnataka, but across the nation,” said Mr. Patil.

Published - June 05, 2025 01:19 am IST