$2 bn in SITA's air pockets

GENEVA & PARIS:SITA, a specialist in air transport communications and IT solutions, and Orange Business Services, an integrated communications operator for businesses, have announced a seven-year agreement, valued in excess of $2 billion, broadening their existing partnership and covering an extensive range of Orange Business Services’ communications services which SITA will provide to airlines, airports and other air industry participants around the world.

Building on their successful past collaboration, SITA and Orange Business Services through their new agreement will ensure that the air transport industry will continue to benefit from competitive solutions and quality of service excellence worldwide. The new agreement also promotes joint innovation and will accelerate business development in enhanced convergence services and real-time business services to meet evolving industry needs, allowing operational efficiency and cost optimization, adds a press release.

Francesco Violante, SITA CEO, said: “This relationship is of major strategic importance for the smooth functioning of an industry which is now hugely reliant on communications for its day-to-day operations. SITA is a leading provider of critical services to airports and airlines worldwide. Our extended partnership with Orange Business Services secures and enhances SITA’s ability to deliver continued improvements and exceptional service levels for our communication solutions in over 220 countries and territories, supporting more than 1,800 customers.”

Major services currently provided by SITA and Orange Business Services include AirportHub, which delivers IP and legacy services from a shared IP-based platform for over 500 airlines at airports worldwide; IPVPN networks which connect 13,500 air transport sites worldwide; SITA Mobility Access; and voice and convergence solutions.