SITA leads the way in transforming Air Travel Experience being the only provider of an end-to-end Digital Travel Solution

SITA, the leading technology company in the air transport industry, is at the forefront of the digital revolution in air travel with its cutting-edge biometric and digital travel solutions. As the only end-to-end solution provider in the market, SITA is uniquely positioned to drive innovation and shape the future of travel.

With passenger numbers forecast to double to 8 billion by 2040, up from 4 billion in 2019, the need for a digital, biometrically-enabled future is undeniable. SITA’s recent Biometrics White Paper, ‘Face the Future’ highlights how the surge in air traveler numbers places extraordinary pressure on existing and new airports, national borders, and airline resources. In short, “existing paper-based and manual travel infrastructure and legacy processes simply won’t be able to cope”.

At the heart of this transformation are trusted digital identities, paving the way for seamless journeys within and beyond the airport environment. SITA's commitment to security and ethics is driving the development of trusted, privacy-preserving and effective solutions that address industry challenges head-on.

Stefan Schaffner, VP of Airports at SITA, said: "Digital travel credentials are the game changer that is redefining the air travel landscape. By harnessing biometric technology and digital solutions, we're empowering passengers and operators to navigate the journey with unprecedented ease and confidence".

Digital travel credentials (DTC) allow passengers to create a secure, privacy-preserving identity from anywhere, streamlining the registration and check-in process. SITA's solutions integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure, ensuring a smooth transition to digital travel for travelers and operators alike. And SITA is now expanding the use of digital travel credentials to benefit airlines around the world too, with its new digital travel airline offering.

Privacy, security and compliance remain paramount. SITA's unwavering commitment to privacy-by-default and privacy-by-design principles ensures regulatory compliance and fosters passenger trust. As a pioneer in digital travel, SITA champions common standards and contributes to global efforts to improve identification and data exchange protocols.

SITA's success in Aruba illustrates the transformative potential of biometrics and wider digital travel solutions. Working with Indicio and Aruba's Ministry of Tourism and Public Health, SITA developed the Aruba Happy One Pass (AHOP). AHOP allows travelers to breeze through immigration using digital travel credentials, prioritizing security and passenger privacy. ‘SITA’s proven and trusted solution, based on international standards (ICAO, IATA), provides an easy-to-deploy solution. SITA has demonstrated that a government can integrate an ICAO DTC into their preclearance process within days, test within weeks, and deploy within months.

"After a successful pilot, the Aruba Happy One Pass is now a hit with international travelers," said Schaffner. "It's a testament to the power of trusted digital identities to enhance the travel experience."

More recently, SITA has agreed to provide its passenger processing solutions to power Airports Authority of India across 43 airports, serving 500 million passengers. The deal marks the largest-ever adoption of cloud-based technologies for passenger and baggage processing amidst a booming Indian aviation market.

SITA's proven solutions, such as SITA Smart Path and Advance Passenger Processing (APP), underline its commitment to shaping the digital future of travel. The company's co-innovation initiatives, including partnerships with Indicio and the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO), demonstrate its commitment to driving innovation and collaboration across the industry.

As we celebrate SITA's 75th anniversary, we reflect on our legacy of meeting the needs of the community through collaboration and innovation. Today, we continue to lead the way in digital travel, providing seamless, secure and efficient solutions for travelers, operators and governments, being the only provider of an end-to-end digital travel solution across airports and beyond