How do airlines adapt in a changing world?

1/ Can you introduce yourself and your company? 

“My name is Sergio Colella, and I am President for SITA Europe. SITA is the world’s leading specialist in air transport communications and information technology. Across the world, SITA is digitally transforming the journey from end-to-end, by enriching the digital experience for our customers on the ground and in the air thanks to our unrivalled experience and solutions. At SITA, our vision of Digital Travel is a future where you can travel from anywhere to everywhere without ever needing to present your travel documents and without needing to stop to confirm your identity, check-in, cross a border, or access any number of services at your destination.”   

2/ How do you see the development of the global airline industry in the years to come after it has suffered potentially the worst crisis in its history? 

“We expect the recovery to slow in September / October after the summer surge, weighed down by the macroeconomic headwind expected especially in Europe on the back of soaring energy prices and double-digit inflation. Still, despite high prices, we would not expect a significant downturn in air traffic. The demand seems strong enough for air traffic not to fall below March/April 2022 levels and to fully recover pre-pandemic traffic levels by 2024. In this contest, a digitally enabled journey is key to boost operational efficiency, keep passengers happy, and face surges in traffic, particularly at peak periods.” 

3/ The theme this year is: “How do airlines adapt in a changing world” What is your point of view on this subject?

“Digital transformation is key for airlines. This is a world in which passengers expect every travel process to be digital, creating a seamless experience for travellers, with no need to rely on manual processes for passport checks and visa issuance. Moreover, as travel becomes more connected and intermodal, having unified digital systems that simplify the passenger journey across the land, sea, and air will become increasingly important.

Equally important is to ensure sustainable operations. Aviation is vital to modern society and the global economy; the industry is looking to use technology to build back better and greener following the pandemic. The pressure on the air transport industry to further reduce emissions has accelerated in the last few years. 

This is not only essential for regulatory compliance and social acceptance but can translate into efficiencies on fuel consumption and indeed into a competitive advantage.”

4/ What do you believe is/are the main reason(s) that draw people to the event?

“This is the globally recognized place to go to meet all key players in aviation, get insights on market trends, relevant initiatives and new opportunities. Attending the event is a way to contribute to shape a better future for the industry, while networking with the global travel ecosystem. I had the pleasure to speak at the event last year in Monaco, and I should say it has been an outstanding learning experience as well as great fun in a beautiful location. I really look forward to the upcoming APG WORLD CONNECT in MALTA.”

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