SITA promises enhanced travel experience after Materna acquisition

May 23, 2024 in Business, Companies, Travel & Tourism by Editor

SITA Chief Executive Officer David Lavorel

Following its acquisition of Materna IPS, SITA, the International Society for Aeronautical Telecommunications is promising seamless passenger handling for airports and airlines and a better travel experience for travelers.  The global airports and airlines technology solutions provider announced it had acquired passenger handling giant Materna IPS on May 21.

The marriage, which is still subject to regulatory approval, is expected to reshape the aviation industry in fundamental ways, bringing efficiency gains to airport operators and airlines while reducing the pain points for airline passengers.

Air traffic is projected to double by 2040, piling pressure on airports and airlines to deliver smoother passenger experiences. The merger of the two travel tech giants will mitigate surging demand for increased terminal capacities and secure solutions for smooth Passenger transit, SITA said.

“It’ll offer the industry a unique opportunity to transform airports from simple transit hubs to digital, personalized experiences​ for travelers across the world,” SITA said in a statement. 

Materna IPS’s portfolio allows airports to process more passengers and optimize resources to give travelers a better experience. They are market leaders in Self-Bag Drop, with a customer base spanning North America, India, Europe, and Japan. Materna IPS offers secure solutions for all passenger touchpoints, from check-in to baggage claim and boarding.  

SITA leads the world in passenger self-service solutions at the airport. As airports transform digitally and the market accelerates towards Self-Bag Drop SITA and Materna IPS’s solutions complement each other in a powerful way. Following the acquisition, SITA will be the undisputed leader in terms of end-to-end solution at airports. 

“This is an exciting new era of travel. SITA’s biggest acquisition ever is about to change the landscape of the whole aviation industry,” said David Lavorel, SITA CEO. “By combining our solutions and expertise we’ll take the passenger journey, and the operations around it, to a dimension of efficiency never seen before. Airports and airlines will get the most innovative passenger handling solutions available. Passengers all over the world can look forward to a new horizon in smooth, seamless, and contactless travel.”

The integration will build on Materna IPS’s common use check-in solutions at kiosks, counters or online – multiple options for user-friendly self-bag drop, and more. This will make a combine with SITA’s portfolio of solutions, including biometrics, computer vision, digital travel, and airport operations management. 

Said Materna IPS ceo Dr. Georg Oschmann: “As we embark on this exciting journey with SITA, we see boundless potential for growth and development. This strategic move is an ideal fit with our commitment to innovation and excellence. Together, we’ll create unparalleled value in our industry and beyond, using our combined strengths to drive meaningful progress and more opportunity for everyone.”