Saudi GACA selects SITA for technology upgrade at 26 airports

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) on Tuesday said it has selected SITA, a global air transport technology provider, to support the modernization program of the Kingdom's biggest airports.

The move will allow transformation of airport and communication technology across the Kingdom’s 26 airports, improving overall passenger experience and preparing the airports to effectively handle rising passenger numbers, GACA said in a statement.

Passenger traffic across all Saudi airports reached 92 million in 2017, a 7.7 percent increase over the previous year.

As part of the technology upgrade, SITA will implement its AirportConnect Open platform, which allows airlines to work seamlessly at airports and deliver a smooth self-service experience from check-in to boarding. The new technology will also allow biometric single-token travel and common-use payment systems.

Additionally, SITA will provide GACA with the latest baggage management solution and also deploy its airport management solution and flight information display system in Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport.

The new airport management system will be implemented in another 21 airports before year-end, the statement added.

GACA is set to privatize 11 airports as well as specialized aviation services sectors in the areas of airport construction, operation, technical and air navigation systems by 2020, as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative.