SITA, the specialist in air transport IT and Communications (IT&C), today announced that it has signed a five-year, $76m contract to implement and maintain an advanced communications and desktop infrastructure for Saudi Arabian Airlines (SV) globally.
The hybrid network solution will facilitate the introduction of a broad range of new applications including a new Passenger Management System.
The new project will help the 18-million passenger airline to reduce its communications-related costs significantly, become more flexible and provide its customers and staff with advanced, future-proof services with mobility access over SITA’s (IP-VPN) secured network, the largest private network in the world.
Dr. Omar Jefri, VP Information Technology, Saudi Arabian Airlines, said: “This project represents the second part of a two-phase project which initially commenced in June 2006 to renovate our IT and Communications infrastructure. The new SITA network and desktop infrastructure will connect 250 of our offices, covering more than 100 cities and airports across 60 countries.”
‘For such a large-scale, advanced and complicated project, SITA stood out as the obvious choice. SITA is the only company which can handle projects of this size not only with limited risks and high chances of success but also providing a portfolio of innovative solutions and services that will enable us to better meet our future business goals and privatization plans,” he added.
In addition to a new Passenger Management System, Saudi Arabian Airlines also plans to implement a new Enterprise Resource Planning System, flight planning and a range of new cargo applications across the SITA-provided communications infrastructure
Commenting on this project, Hani El Assaad, SITA Regional Vice-President, Middle East and Turkey said: ‘With the current state of the global economy, the aviation industry is evaluating different options that cut costs and equip airline staff with effective technology. This is where SITA will be using its domain and industry know-how to help Saudi Arabian Airlines deliver on all these needs with the aid of customized state-of-the-art IT solutions.”
‘This project represents another milestone in a successful 40 year-old relationship between SITA and Saudi Arabian Airlines. This reflects a mutual understanding, respect and trust between both parties and we are privileged to be working with SV,’ he added.
SITA will be responsible for all technical needs that are related to desktop, LAN, telephony, security, and WAN connectivity for all Saudi Arabian Airlines out-stations worldwide. In this respect, the SITA solution includes the creation of a multi-purpose hybrid network through state-of-the-art technologies in the networking domain that offer secure, reliable, and scalable data and voice services to all of Saudi Arabian Airlines outstations.
With SITA solutions fully deployed, all Saudi Arabian Airlines sales, GSA’s, cargo, catering, flight operations, technical services, and airport offices will benefit from the latest technologies that allow them to utilize a single telecom connectivity to cater for all data and voice needs, thus reducing the costs of multiple telecom lines. Saudi Arabian Airlines will also be capable of running the latest TCP/IP-based applications, which are part of their plan to improve efficiency and overall productivity.
SITA will be in charge of renovating all of the desktop equipment (computers, printers, etc.), Local Area Networks (LANs) and telephony equipment at all the outstations. In addition, SITA will be responsible for deployment, post-deployment support and maintenance services of all systems implemented in this project.
About SITA:
SITA is the world’s leading specialist in air transport communication and IT solutions. SITA delivers and manages business solutions for airline, airport, GDS, government and other customers over the world’s most extensive communications network, which forms the backbone of the global air transport industry.
SITA’s portfolio includes managed global communications, infrastructure and outsourcing services, as well as services for airline commercial management and passenger operations, flight operations, aircraft operations and air-to-ground communications, airport management and operations, baggage operations, transportation security and border management, cargo operations and more. With a customer service team of over 1,500 staff around the world, SITA invests significantly in achieving best-in-class customer service, providing integrated local and global support for both its communication and IT application services.
SITA has two main subsidiaries: OnAir, which is bringing in-flight mobile communications to the market, and CHAMP Cargosystems, the world’s only IT company dedicated solely to air cargo. SITA also operates two joint ventures providing services to the air transport community: Aviareto for aircraft asset management and CertiPath for secure electronic identity management.
SITA is one of the world’s most international companies. Its global reach is based on local presence, with services for around 600 air transport industry members and 3,000 customers in over 220 countries and territories. In 2009, the company celebrates 60 years in business. Set up in 1949 with 11 member airlines, SITA today employs people of more than 140 nationalities, speaking over 70 different languages. SITA had consolidated revenues of over $1.42bn (?1.06bn) in 2007.
About Saudi Arabian Airlines:
Saudi Arabian Airlines is the flag and national carrier of Saudi Arabia and considered one of the largest airlines in the Middle East. Started in 1945 and currently operating to more than 90 domestic and international destinations. Fleet size is 150 aircraft and the airline carried more than 18 million passengers in 2007.
