Komy, a Japan-based manufacturer of mirrors, has received approval from Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, to supply aircraft stowage bin mirrors. The Bureau confirms the mirrors comply with standards, and certifies that the company has “capabilities to manufacture components and inspect completed components”.
Komy expects the certification will reduce the time and cost of the documentation and applications required for airlines to adopt mirrors for aircraft.
In other Komy news, the company has received an order from Jin Air, a low-cost carrier based in Seoul, South Korea, to supply and install mirrors in the overhead stowage bins of its fleet of 22 aircraft.
Komy shares that it had previously pitched its mirrors to Jin Air, but later learned that the airline was unsure if the installation costs would make them worthwhile. However, Jin Air reconsidered and made a specific request to install the mirrors, whereafter Komy and Jin Air reached this agreement, to install the mirrors on 18 Boeing 737 series aircraft and four B777s.
Jin Air deployed the mirror for a few reasons. The airline found that some passengers and cabin crew were climbing on seats or armrests to check the overhead stowage bins for forgotten items. This practice can not only cause damage to cabin equipment, but also presents a risk of falling.
Jin Air learned that installing the mirrors would enable passengers to inspect the bottom of the overhead stowage bins while standing on the cabin floor, allowing other passengers to exit smoothly and without being left waiting in the aisles. Other airlines also reported that the mirror assists cabin crew in detecting suspicious objects in the cabin.
