ATHENS - 15 June 2006 - SITA, the market leader in the provision of IT solutions to the world’s leading airports, today announced details of a partnership with Athens International Airport (AIA) as SITA continues to develop the $2 billion mass airport market by creating a global network of resellers. AIA becomes SITA’s third partner since it first announced plans in February to establish a global network of Indirect Channel partners to provide the company’s IT solutions to medium and small-sized airports which handle five million passengers or less per year. Fotis Karonis, AIA’s Information Technology and Telecommunications Director, said: “This alliance will bring great innovation into the Greek airport market. For the first time, small to medium size airports will be able to tap into the latest IT technology for passenger and baggage management at a competitive price”. The role of AIA’s Information Technology & Telecommunications Business Unit is that of an integrator and operator of reliable, state-of-the-art, cost effective and innovative services to its customers in the air transport community (airports, airlines, ground handlers, passengers, concessionaires, governmental authorities etc.) in Greece and abroad. Announcing details of the agreement - during the 16th ACI Europe Annual Assembly, Congress & Exhibition - U mar Khan, SITA’s Vice-President, Indirect Channels, said, “The agreement will make shared-use passenger and baggage processing solutions such as baggage management, common use terminal equipment and kiosks, widely available in Greece. SITA products and services will be offered on an Applications Service Provider-basis which will reduce the total cost of ownership to the airports.” SITA estimates there is a worldwide market of over 1,000 airports in this category with an estimated value of $2 billion over the next five years. Five years is the typical length of an airport IT contract. The product set which SITA will make available under the Indirect Channel label includes market leading IT applications such as AirportConnect CUTE, AirportConnect Kiosk, BagManager and BagMessage. For further information (not for publication) contact:
SITA South West Europe Monica Campana - Regional Marketing Mgr Via Nicaragua 10, 00040 Pomezia - Rome - IT Tel. + 39 06 91167573 E-mail: [email protected]
Notes to Editors: About SITA SITA is the world's leading service provider of IT business solutions and communications services to the air transport industry. SITA manages complex communication solutions for its air transport, government and GDS customers over the world’s most extensive communication network, complemented by consultancy in the design, deployment and integration of communication services. Its extensive range of airline and airport applications and services includes airport operations and integrated baggage services, common use and desktop services, flight operations and air-to-ground communications and end-to-end airline distribution and fares services. SITA has two main subsidiaries: OnAir, which is leading the race to bring in-flight mobile telephony to the market, and CHAMP Cargosystems, the world's only IT company solely dedicated to air cargo. SITA also operates two joint ventures providing services to the air transport community: Aviareto for aircraft asset management and CertiPath for secure electronic identity management. SITA covers 220 countries and territories and the head office is in Geneva, Switzerland. SITA reported aggregated revenues of $1.554 billion (€ 1.295bn) for the year 2005. Further information can be found at www.sita.aero. About Athens International Airport S.A (AIA) AIA is considered a pioneer international Public-Private Partnership of its type in the world, being the first major greenfield airport constructed with the participation of the private sector. 'Athens International Airport S.A.' is the company responsible for the operation, management and development of the airport for a 30-year concession period initiated in 1996. 'Athens International Airport S.A.' is a privately managed company, with the Greek State holding 55% of shares, while the private shareholders collectively hold 45%. Since the beginning of operation of the new Athens International Airport, AIA has received continual recognition and awards from business, government and standards bodies alike, including passenger satisfaction and business excellence award. The airport is committed to operational and service excellence, making AIA’s Information Technology & Telecommunications Operational Unit (IT&T) and its commitment to SITA services an integral part of its business strategy. Further information can be found at www.aia.gr