SITA completes acquisition of Materna IPS

SITA has finalised the acquisition of Materna IPS following the completion of regulatory formalities and legal procedures. This acquisition marks a significant leap forward in the digitalisation of the global aviation industry, enhancing check-in, baggage handling, and security processes. Travellers can expect reduced wait times, smoother journeys, and a new era of personalised digital services.

This strategic move will position SITA as the market leader in solutions such as self-bag drop while strengthening its leadership in areas like biometrics, serving 85% of international air passengers globally and in Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE) and Common Use Self Service (CUSS) kiosks. This development will significantly benefit the entire travel industry, addressing pressing demands for increased terminal capacities and best-in-class secure solutions, leading to easier travel for all passengers. It will allow the industry to transform airports from simple transit hubs to digital, personalised experiences for travellers worldwide.

The integrated solutions portfolio will enable airports to process more passengers and optimise resources, enhancing the traveller experience. With a footprint of around 120 airports globally, the integration of Materna IPS positions SITA as the undisputed market leader in end-to-end airport solutions, strengthening existing solutions such as self-bag drop. Materna IPS offers best-in-class secure solutions for all passenger touchpoints, from check-in to baggage claim and boarding. It adds specialist knowledge to SITA’s offering, along with highly customised solutions, agile support, and a broader range of services.

SITA leads the world in passenger self-service solutions at airports, with over 13 billion air passengers using SITA systems. As airports digitally transform and the market accelerates towards solutions such as self-bag drop, SITA and Materna IPS’s solutions complement each other powerfully.

“As we complete these final steps, we’re looking forward to Materna IPS joining the SITA Group,” said David Lavorel, SITA CEO. “Our focus will now move to unifying our teams as we work towards combining our solutions and expertise. With the extraordinary talent and innovative solutions brought to the table by both SITA and Materna IPS, we’ll create a unique and unbeatable portfolio of solutions. With this, passengers around the world will be able to look forward to a much easier and more seamless way of travelling as we reshape the future of travel.”

This integration builds on Materna IPS’s common use check-in solutions at kiosks, counters, or online – offering multiple options for user-friendly self-bag drop and more. It will make a powerful combination with SITA’s portfolio of solutions, including biometrics, computer vision, digital travel, and airport operations management.