SITA has taken a significant step into the operations as a service market by acquiring ASISTIM, a company renowned for its airline flight operations services. This move highlights SITA's ongoing pursuit of innovative solutions to help airlines tackle challenges and stay ahead, enhancing air travel for everyone.
This acquisition strengthens SITA's position as a top partner for ambitious airlines, offering comprehensive solutions regardless of their size or passenger volume. As air travel evolves, airlines face issues such as staff shortages, rising costs, and changing demands. SITA's acquisition of ASISTIM directly addresses these problems by offering centralised airline Operations Control Centre (OCC) services that support multiple customers simultaneously. Additionally, SITA now has its own OCC, allowing it to monitor its implemented technology closely, optimise it further and elevate its innovative solutions.
By combining ASISTIM's expertise with SITA's unique airline OCC software, IT solutions and global customer reach, this enhanced service will enable more airlines to outsource critical operations. This approach helps airlines overcome the challenges of recruiting, training, and retaining their own OCC staff, ensuring they operate at the highest standards. SITA democratises access to advanced technology, robust processes, and experienced personnel typically reserved for larger operators. This allows airlines to work with a trusted operational partner to improve efficiency, reliability, and scalability, regardless of their size or passenger capacity.
“Acquiring ASISTIM is a significant move for SITA's Managed Services portfolio journey. It's a step towards our goal of supporting all airlines by making our top capabilities and expertise available to them. In this case, it's OCC services, whether we take on full OCC activities or just a subset,” said David Lavorel, CEO of SITA. “By centralising OCC services, we help airlines manage daily or peak operations more smoothly, delivering a scalable solution for all sizes. Now, we're ready to build on ASISTIM's legacy of service excellence to expand our offerings. We'll also integrate their key operational insights into our plans for further developing our software products. This will solidify our position as the go-to OCC provider and is another bold step in SITA's vision to offer a full range of products and services in the air transport industry.”
Founded 15 years ago, ASISTIM has established itself with its innovative and unique triad of OCC, IT and training academy services. This means airlines now find a one-stop-shop for comprehensive services, including managed OCC services, OCC software integration and automation, and top-tier dispatcher training, all backed by an established industry leader like SITA.