September 22, 2025
by
Airports AI Alliance
SITA said its newly launched Connect Fly managed connectivity service for pre-flight operations, should modernise airline passenger handling systems and improve passengers’ journey through the airport.
Many airlines still rely on outdated networks and multiple vendors, meaning rising costs, security gaps, and airport delays, the air transport technology specialist said.
The launch of Connect Fly should address these issues, and comes as part of a broader trend towards greater digitalisation and automation in the airport environment, aimed at smoothing operations for airlines and airports and improving the passenger experience.
ConnectFly is built on VersaONE, Versa’s AI-powered Universal Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform. It gives airlines and the wider transport industry a faster, more secure way to connect departure control systems (DCS) and web applications directly to their passenger-facing points, such as check-in kiosks.
Air transport technology specialist SITA said the new system would lead to simplified operations and greater resilience, while for travellers, it would translate into shorter waits at check-in and boarding, a more seamless experience and increased confidence in the safety of their personal data.
A2024 survey by airports group ACI Europe found that, while 73% of passengers were confident in using digital or online products and services, a significant portion of respondents–19%–were concerned about data privacy.
The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 2024 Global Passenger Survey also highlighted the importance of a smooth airport journey for passengers: 70% of respondents wanted to reach their boarding gate in 30 minutes or less when travelling with just hand luggage.
“Airlines across the world are telling us the same thing:they need faster, more resilient systems to keep up with growing passenger volumes and increased cloud services,” said Martin Smillie, Senior Vice President for Communications and Data Exchange at SITA.
“SITA Connect Fly provides a managed secure connectivity service for pre-flight operations worldwide, helping reduce the risk of outages and keeping network and security policies consistent across airports. In practice, this means smoother check-in, more reliable boarding, and a less stressful journey for passengers.”
ConnectFly builds on SITA’s existing Community Connect DCS service, which is used in check-in and boarding control in more than 400 locations worldwide.
With Versa’s global cloud gateways, airlines can connect through the closest point of access, speeding up response times and reducing delays. The platform also ensures that enough bandwidth is always available for critical applications, keeping essential airline systems such as departure control running smoothly.
“SITA Connect Fly also lays the foundation for real-time data processing across the broader SITA digital ecosystem, helping airlines and airports deliver more connected, efficient and reliable services for travelers everywhere,” SITA said.
Photo: Gepapix | Dreamstime.com
