SITA selected to modernize technology at Saudi Arabia airports

Aug 7, 2018, 3:01 pm EDT | Chris Burt

Categories Biometrics News | Border and Port Security

SITA has been selected by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to support the modernization of 26 airports across the country, as it prepares for an expected surge in passenger numbers.

Passenger traffic at Saudi airports increased by 7.7 percent to 92 million in 2017, according to the announcement, and SITA will implement its AirportConnect Open platform to deliver smooth self-service experiences and enable the implementation of cutting-edge solutions like biometric single-token travel and common-use payment systems.

SITA will also provide GACA with a baggage management solution to meet the tracking requirements of IATA Resolution 753, and the company’s Airport Management solution and Flight Information Display System are being deployed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to provide real-time information for proactive resource management. SITA Airport Management is expected to be deployed in an additional 21 airports this year, and Airport iValidate document authentication gates have been introduced at King Abdulaziz International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

“Time and again we have seen how technology can transform an airport, improving the flow of passengers through the airport and therefore elevating the whole airport experience,” SITA President, Middle East, India and Africa, Hani El-Assaad said. “Our solutions will help GACA reap the full benefit of the tremendous growth they have experienced across all Saudi Arabian airports in the past few years.”

SITA recently announced that its automated gates had processed more than 1.2 million people during World Cup 2018 festivities in Russia, and an extension of its partnership with Brisbane Airport.