Air transport IT provider SITA has announced its acquisition of Software Design, the main IT provider for Naples Airport.
Through the acquisition, SITA will strengthen its capacity to help airports in Italy and Europe manage and integrate technology across numerous systems and providers. Software Design brings a 70-strong team of experts with deep airport knowledge, as well as project management and system integration expertise.
Through Software Design, SITA will evolve the day-to-day management of all IT infrastructure and applications at Naples Airport, one of the fastest-growing airports in Italy. This will enable the airport to leverage SITA’s experience in passenger and baggage processing, border management and airport operations to drive a major modernization of the airport’s IT and digital infrastructure.
SITA has acquired Software Design from the company’s managing shareholders and 2i Aeroporti, a joint venture between F2i, the largest infrastructure fund operating in Italy, and Ardian, a private investment house. Together F2i and Ardian control one of Italy’s main airport networks, including Naples, Milan, Turin, Alghero, Bologna and Trieste airports, serving more than 58 million passengers every year.
Sergio Colella, SITA president for Europe, said, “Airports are increasingly implementing digital transformation programs to keep up with rapidly changing passenger expectations, as well as furthering their quest for operational excellence. With this acquisition, SITA complements its IT expertise in the air transport industry with those of Software Design, one of the leading IT players operating in the Italian airports space. This will allow SITA, through Software Design, to power transformation for the benefit of the Italian aviation industry.”
In welcoming the Software Design team to SITA, Colella confirmed that the company would continue to operate from Naples Airport, with SITA leading an investment and transformation program to strengthen the team’s capability to grow its presence across airports in Europe.
Roberto Barbieri, CEO of GESAC, concessionaire holder and operator of Naples Airport, said, “In 2018, Naples Airport achieved passenger growth of 16% and today serves more than 10 million passengers. This growth requires a new approach and investment in the airport’s digital systems so that we have in place a robust infrastructure to provide a great customer journey to a growing number of passengers in future. With the sale of Software Design, we will be able to tap SITA’s global expertise and experience.”