October 25, 2024
by
Jonathan Andrews
A new technology hub in Cluj-Napoca, Romania will develop solutions for the aviation sector that transform passenger processing and travel technologies.
Opened by SITA, the global air transport technology company, the new hub adds to the firm’s network of hubs in London, Letterkenny and New Delhi.
“In Cluj, SITA found the ideal location to open a new tech hub, tapping into the exceptional STEM talent, and vibrant tech ecosystem the city has become known for,” Marina Zviagina, Vice President, Eastern Europe and Baltics at SITA, told Cities Today.
The hub will play a crucial role in improving passenger processing, with a focus on automation, biometrics, and AI. And will be instrumental in the creation of next-generation platforms like SITA Flex – which lets travellers check in and board using their phones cutting wait times by up to 40 percent.
Zviagina said that while specific projects are still in the planning stages, the hub will include pilot projects to test SITA’s solutions for enhanced passenger flow, baggage handling, and operational efficiency; research and development initiatives addressing Cluj Airport’s own challenges; and sustainability efforts focusing on green technologies and CSR programmes to reduce environmental impact.
Additionally, regular workshops will facilitate discussions on trends in airport operations, aiming to ensure scalable and sustainable advancements in passenger processing and biometric innovations.
By expanding its global technology capabilities with this new hub, Zviagina added that SITA is strengthening its ability to deliver scalable, secure, and privacy-centric digital identity solutions, such as the Digital Travel Credential (DTC).
“With airports investing US$10.8 billion and airlines US$34.5 billion in IT [according to SITA Air Transport IT Insights 2023], the Cluj tech hub is well-positioned to contribute to the industry’s key focus areas: automation, biometrics, and AI,” Zviagina said. “Overall, the Cluj-Napoca tech hub is poised to play a critical role in advancing these technologies, ensuring that SITA remains at the forefront of innovation in the aviation industry.”
Image: (L-R) Rene Fourel, CTO; David Lavorel, CEO; and Sergio Colella, President Europe SITA
