SITA said it has acquired Materna IPS, which works in the passenger handling sector for airports and airlines. With air traffic set to double by 2040, airports and airlines must deliver smoother passenger experiences. SITA said its acquisition is a “vital part of its focus on innovation and reinventing travel to meet pressing industry demands for increased terminal capacities and best-in-class secure solutions leading to easy travel for all passengers”. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Materna IPS’s portfolio allows airports to process more passengers and optimise resources to give travelers a better experience. “They are market leaders in Self-Bag Drop, with a customer base spanning North America, India, Europe, and Japan,” SITA said in its announcement. Materna IPS offers solutions for all passenger touchpoints, from check-in to baggage claim and boarding.
“This is an exciting new era of travel! SITA’s biggest acquisition ever is about to change the landscape of the whole aviation industry,” said David Lavorel, SITA CEO. “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. We’re on a powerful transformation path. 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. We can’t wait to set off on this new journey with our colleagues at Materna IPS and reshape the future of travel together.”
Dr. Georg Oschmann, CEO at Materna IPS, added: “As we embark on this exciting journey with SITA, we see boundless potential for growth and development. 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.”
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