Technology will be defining factor for air transport industry, says Patel
Geneva-based Societe Internationale de Telecommunications Aeronautiques (SITA) is all set to implement IT systems at another 40+ airports in India in the coming years, which is part of its extended contract under which it has put in place passenger management systems at 43 airports in the country.
Giving an update on work being undertaken in India, SITA Asia Pacific President Sumesh Patel highlighted the potential of Indian market.
“India’s Civil Aviation is among the fastest-growing aviation markets globally and will be a major growth engine to make India a US$5 trillion economy by 2024,” said Patel as he shared market perspective from SITA’s regional office in Singapore.
The technology driving SITA, backed by more than 410 airports and airlines as members, has a longstanding history of providing services to Airport Authority of India and AAI Airports for over 50 years.
It has presence in India with Global Competency Centres with 475+ employees and 1,500+ offshore-based people supporting operations in a market that has been the front-runner in the adoption of advanced technology, which will be essential to address operational challenges to meet this new demand, he underlined.
Technology will be the defining factor for the air transport industry going forward, he stressed.
“But with rising passenger volumes and rapid industry growth comes a significant risk of operational turmoil leading to congested airports, flight delays, and cancellations,” cautioned Patel.
Elaborating, Patel noted the Indian Government’s drive to have a wide range of IT based systems across all airports, both new and those being upgraded.
This has made Patel bullish, given the potential of working on airport IT systems for India which is expected to have 220 airports by 2025 compared to 148 today.
Patel sees immense challenge in managing such huge volume of passenger traffic at airports.
“Ensuring efficient and fluid operations and a seamless passenger experience at these airports will be critical to delivering on India’s air transport industry opportunity,” he said after briefing media on SITA’s lab-based hub in Singapore on 9 Oct.
He urged the global aviation industry to become laser-focused on operational efficiency, agility, and delivering a modern, seamless passenger experience.
“Focusing on delivering digital travel and a seamless passenger experience, maximizing operational efficiency, and future-proofing operations with smart, agile cloud solutions, India has a unique opportunity to lead the way with truly world-class infrastructure,” he said.
The global and Indian air travel industry is set to work on more advanced technologies, such as the use of Artificial Intelligence to cover biometric passport travel, management of supplies for Maintenance and Repair Organizations as well as Original Equipment Manufacturers.
As such, SITA considers India as one of the most promising markets globally, stressed Patel, pointing out that SITA has been providing network infrastructure for all airlines in India, starting with Air India in 1952.
The range of SITA work in India includes a contract with Noida International Airport (NIA) which has selected SITA’s Airport Management System to help automate and streamline the operations of the airport.
SITA will support NIA’s integrated approach to airport operations, focusing on maximizing efficiency to serve passengers and airlines. NIA is under construction. Fiinews.com
