SITA acquires the main IT service provider to Naples Airport, Software Design

Nov 8, 2019: IT solutions provider to the air transport sector SITA has acquired 100 percent of Software Design, an Italian software and solution integrator tailored to airports and the main IT service provider to Naples Airport.

The acquisition brings many benefits to SITA including: strengthening of its capacity to help airports in Italy and Europe seamlessly manage and integrate technology, team with expertise in project management and system integration.

Sergio Colella, president for Europe, SITA said: “Airports are increasingly implementing digital transformation programmes to keep up with rapidly changing passenger expectations as well as their quest for operational excellence.”

In welcoming the 70-strong 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.

With more than 50 percent of revenue now derived from application-based solutions, SITA is experiencing a growing demand for its airport-specific integration capabilities.

SITA, through Software Design, will evolve the day-to-day management of all IT infrastructure and applications at Naples Airport. The airport, which is one of the fastest-growing airports in Italy, plans to step up its investment in technology to help meet the demands of that growth, with SITA leading its implementation.

SITA has acquired Software Design from the company’s managing shareholders and 2i Aeroporti SpA, a joint venture between F2i, the largest infrastructure fund operating in Italy, and Ardian, a world-leading private investment house. Together F2i and Ardian control one of Italy’s main airport networks that includes Naples, Milan, Turin, Alghero, Bologna and Trieste airports, serving more than 58 million passengers and 650,000 tonnes of freight every year.

Roberto Barbieri, CEO of GESAC, concessionaire holder and operator of Naples Airport said: “In 2018 Naples Airport achieved passenger growth of 16 percent 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.”