Air transport IT and communications provider SITA celebrated its 70th anniversary this week by announcing record revenue for 2018.
Speaking at the Geneva-based company’s Annual General Assembly, CEO Barbara Dalibard said, “We had a very successful 2018, with record revenues of US$1.7bn and for the first time in our 70-year history, our application business now represents more than 50% of our revenues.
“This is an important milestone because while connectivity remains a vital part of our business, application growth is a fundamental element of our long-term strategy.”
In 1949, 11 airlines joined together to establish the communications infrastructure which remains at the heart of this interconnected global industry. Today, 95% of all international destinations and over 13,500 industry sites are connected by SITA’s network.
Dalibard added, “The challenge is clear: over the next 20 years, passenger traffic is forecasted to double, while airport capacity will only grow by 5%. This requires a new approach to air travel. We are already using emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, biometrics and SDN, to enable more efficient operations at airports and on aircraft, but we must continue to innovate with the industry to shape the future of air travel.”
SITA has more than 400 members, including airlines, airports, airport-based organizations and air traffic management providers.
