SITA acquires Materna IPS to reshape air travel | TTG Asia

SITA has acquired Materna IPS, which specialises in airport and airline solutions, in a move that will reshape the entire aviation industry and create the world’s most powerful passenger portfolio for airports and digital travel.

This integration will build on Materna IPS’s common use check-in solutions at kiosks, counters or online – multiple options for user-friendly self-bag drop, and more – which will complement SITA’s portfolio of solutions, including biometrics, computer vision, digital travel, and airport operations management.

With air traffic set to double by 2040, this acquisition by SITA, subject to regulatory approval, is a vital part of its focus on innovation and reinventing travel to meet pressing industry demands for increased terminal capacities and secure solutions leading to easy travel for all passengers – it will offer the industry a unique opportunity to transform airports from simple transit hubs to digital, personalised experiences for travellers across the world.

Materna IPS’s portfolio allows airports to process more passengers and optimise resources to give travellers a better experience, offering secure solutions for all passenger touch points, from check-in to baggage claim and boarding. They are market leaders in Self-Bag Drop, with a customer base spanning North America, India, Europe, and Japan.

SITA CEO David Lavorel, said: “By combining our solutions and expertise, we’ll take the passenger journey and the operations around it to a dimension of efficiency never seen before. Airports and airlines will get the most innovative passenger handling solutions available. Passengers all over the world can look forward to a new horizon in smooth, seamless, and contactless travel.”

He continued: “This acquisition fits perfectly with our growth strategy. We wanted to take a bold step towards transforming the future of travel – we can’t wait to set off on this new journey with our colleagues at Materna IPS and reshape the future of travel together.”

Georg Oschmann, CEO at Materna IPS, added: “This strategic move is an ideal fit with our commitment to innovation and excellence. Together, we’ll create unparalleled value in our industry and beyond, using our combined strengths to drive meaningful progress and more opportunity for everyone.”