Air transport IT company SITA has acquired Materna IPS, an automated passenger handling business. SITA says the transaction will reshape the aviation industry, creating the world’s most powerful passenger portfolio for airports and digital travel.
“SITA’s biggest acquisition ever is about to change the landscape of the whole aviation industry,” said CEO David Lavorel. “This acquisition fits perfectly with our growth strategy. We wanted to take a bold step towards transforming the future of travel, and we’ve done it.”
Materna ISP dominates the self-bag-drop market, 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 says its own and Materna IPS’s solutions complement each other. After the acquisition, SITA will become a major force in airport end-to-end solutions.
Air traffic is set to double by 2040. SITA says the acquisition will help it meet pressing industry demands for increased terminal capacities and best-in-class secure solutions.
This integration will build on Materna IPS’s common-use check-in solutions at kiosks, counters, or online, offering multiple options for user-friendly self-bag drop. It will combine with SITA’s portfolio of solutions, including biometrics, computer vision, digital travel, and airport operations management.
