SITA is on track to achieve record results in 2023, with revenue approaching US$1.5 billion, and all signs so far point to a similarly strong performance in 2024, CEO David Lavorel revealed at SITA’s annual general meeting in June.
SITA has also won record contracts and partnerships to transform travel at airports and borders through digital ID, biometric and mobile-enabled self-service and digital borders. Examples include biometric touchpoints for air passengers at Frankfurt Airport, collaboration on digital travel and sustainability with the Arab Airlines Organization, and ongoing trials in Aruba with ICAO’s Digital Travel Authentication standard.
Lavorel: Big trends like digitalization and sustainability will forever change the way we work.
Additionally, SITA’s agreement with Airports Authority of India will equip 44 Indian airports with modern passenger processing solutions and cloud enablement, preparing them for a future of rising passenger volumes.
Moreover, the new launch of SITA Connect Go SD-WAN solution gives the industry an opportunity to achieve this goal as a platform for industry digitization. Qatar Airways and Biman Bangladesh Airlines have become early customers, using the solution to drive their growth.
Another big trend is collaborative IT for aviation, using artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven operational tools to help make flying more efficient and sustainable.
In 2023, airlines such as Azul, Singapore Airlines, AIX Connect and Vistara have actively adopted SITA OptiFlight to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by better planning flight routes. AI and flight optimization services are essential to support the aviation industry on its journey towards a carbon net-zero future.
This year also saw the release of SITA Total Airport Optimizer, which uses an AI-powered platform to manage all aspects of an airport’s operations, after which SITA acquired Materna IPS.
SITA then launched SmartSea through an agreement with Columbia Ship’s management team to reshape the maritime industry by giving it access to the same advanced technologies that are transforming the air transport industry. The launch comes as part of SITA’s expansion into cruise, rail and urban air mobility such as Vertiports.
SITA has also acquired ASISTIM, a renowned provider of airline flight operations management services, enabling airlines of all sizes to outsource parts of their flight operations through a full-fledged airline flight operations control centre management service.
“Our portfolio developments and innovations will enable seamless and touchless journeys, operational efficiencies, resilience and agility, sustainability and more, preparing the industry for the years to come,” said Lavorel.
“Massive trends like digitalization and sustainability will forever upend the way we work. For 75 years, we have been helping propel air transportation into the future. Now we are supporting the entire travel and transportation industry to create smoother travel experiences, achieve operational efficiency and resilience, and be better positioned to meet sustainability requirements.”
