Airline’s outstations and domestic hubs to receive faster, cutting-edge connectivity
MUMBAI – December 2016 – SITA, the global airport transport IT provider, is to provide faster, more reliable connectivity to Air India as part of a package of solutions aimed at transforming the airline’s communications and network infrastructure. The solution will underpin the airline’s bid to become more agile and responsive to India’s fast-growing aviation market while becoming more competitive internationally.
The seven-year deal will see SITA roll out the latest communication technology both in India and internationally. Through SITA Connect – the largest communication network in the air transport industry used in over 220 countries and territories – Air India will be able to link all 93 international outstations and its six biggest airports in India to the airline’s central hubs in New Delhi and Mumbai.
In addition, the airline will be able to leverage AirportHub™, SITA’s unique shared infrastructure which allows airlines to connect all their applications and IT systems at an airport quickly and easily. It removes the complexity of dealing with local telecom providers and adds flexibility and agility to route management. AirportHub™ has already been deployed at over 300 airports around the world.
SITA will also provide access to services, applications and data on any device and in any location through its End-User Computing solution. As a single-source provider embracing both traditional desktop and the latest technologies, SITA will provide both hardware and support to more than 500 Air India agents and employees globally.
With an increasing number of travelers going online to book their flights, SITA’s Content Delivery Network will help optimize Air India’s web applications such as flight bookings and web check-in, providing a solid foundation on which to build the airline’s online business.
The latest agreement builds on the solid relationship Air India has with SITA which has over the years provided a range of other technological solutions, including the airline’s passenger management system and more recently Air India’s new passenger app.
Ashwani Lohani, Chairman and MD of Air India, said: “Having been a long-standing technology partner in aviation, SITA is able to fulfill the vision of passenger experience by identifying appropriate innovations covering network and communications that This will help us benefit from the opportunities in the fast-growing Indian aviation market while elevating our international competitiveness.”
Maneesh Jaikrishna, SITA’s Vice President for India and Subcontinent, said: “Today airlines rely heavily on the ability to reliably and securely share information across their network of airports and offices. SITA has the technology, expertise and global reach to deliver that network infrastructure.”
The 2016 Aviation ICT Forum India is taking place on 16-17 December 2016 in Goa where SITA, together with leaders from across India’s aviation industry, are coming together to explore how the air transport industry can become smarter at every step of the journey.