SITA adds to tech hub network
SITA has opened a new technology hub in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, aimed at advancing the future of air travel through cutting-edge innovation and adding to its network of tech hubs in India, Ireland and the UK.
Image courtesy SITA
This new hub strengthens SITA’s global network of technology centres and is set to play a critical role in addressing the most pressing challenges facing the aviation industry today: enhancing operational efficiency, reducing environmental impact and delivering seamless passenger experiences.
The Cluj-Napoca hub joins a network of SITA technology hubs in London (UK), Letterkenny (Ireland) and New Delhi (India) and will focus on developing solutions that transform passenger processing and travel technologies. The hub is instrumental in the creation of next-generation platforms like SITA Flex, which lets travellers check in and board using their phones, reducing wait times by up to 40% globally. Meanwhile, SITA WorldTracer cuts lost baggage incidents by 77% while also lowering COâ emissions with its cloud-based system.
“As the aviation industry undergoes rapid digital transformation, our new tech hub in Cluj-Napoca will help accelerate the development of technologies that meet growing passenger demand for faster, smarter and greener travel,” said David Lavorel, CEO of SITA. “The hub plays a crucial role in modernising passenger processing globally, with a focus on automation, biometrics and AI, enabling more seamless and efficient travel solutions.”
As part of the hub’s launch event on the 9th of October, a Letter of Intent was signed by Sergio Colella, President, Europe at SITA and Dan Nicorescu, Chief Operations Officer at Cluj Avram Iancu International Airport. The agreement establishes a strategic framework for sharing expertise and pursuing joint initiatives to advance airport technology. The collaboration will focus on innovation in passenger processing, sustainability and the testing of cutting-edge solutions to address evolving aviation challenges. This partnership aims to drive the future of air travel from Cluj, supporting the industry's digital transformation.
Airports such as Cluj as well as airlines are investing heavily in technology - airports alone are spending $10.8 billion and airlines $34.5 billion in IT (SITA Air Transport IT Insights 2023) - underscoring the urgent need for innovation. SITA’s Cluj hub is at the forefront of this effort, contributing to the industry’s shift toward cloud-based, mobile and self-service solutions that improve operational efficiency and sustainability.
By expanding its global technology capabilities with this new hub, SITA is strengthening its ability to deliver scalable, secure, and privacy-centric digital identity solutions, such as the Digital Travel Credential (DTC). This enables governments, airports and airlines to adopt faster, real-time identity verification and passenger processing systems, ensuring compliance with global standards while enhancing the passenger experience.
The Cluj-Napoca hub not only contributes to advancing SITA’s global technology strategy but also supports the aviation industry's broader digital transformation, helping to shape the future of air travel.