Sergio Colella (Sita Europe) : Sita équipe en solutions technologiques les aéroports mondiaux

Whenever an airport opens, SITA is behind it, that's absolutely correct. SITA was created by the world's major airlines seventy years ago to build a shared telecommunications and information systems infrastructure. Today, it's worth 1.7 billion dollars. We are present in over 200 countries worldwide, operating through 1000 airports. You could say that wherever there's an airline or an issue in a country, SITA is there, yes.

We're experiencing it alongside our clients. First, we had to organize ourselves to operate in a way that protects passengers still traveling and SITA staff. Then, we had to adapt long-term to the requirements and structural changes from this crisis, which is both a crisis and an opportunity. Today, global traffic is down 66%, meaning we've lost two-thirds of passengers worldwide. In Europe, the situation is more severe, with over 80% of passengers lost.

Absolutely, we are convinced and see daily that the crisis is a powerful catalyst for digitalization. For our sector, technology in air transport, it accelerated an existing movement. For example, SITA's tools for airlines and airports. Beyond telecommunications infrastructure that must be protected, all information systems enable passengers to manage their journey: check-in, baggage drop, security, alerts on schedules and delays, ensuring a smooth experience. Also, providing aircraft with necessary data for optimal travel. Everything is done remotely via smartphone, from before arrival to destination. Your smartphone becomes the trip's remote control; giving passengers control increases satisfaction and reduces stress, leading to better trips. Now, a key technological shift is 5G.

It's a major change. 5G promises download speeds ten times faster, lower latency for better service, and more connections in confined spaces like airports. This allows sending rich, contextual information, videos, and large data, transforming many processes. For instance, autonomous vehicles on the tarmac and connecting assets via IoT to optimize operations.

You raise an important and timely point. Indeed, the DGAC has expressed concerns about potential interference with aircraft radio navigation systems. There is a danger? Are you worried? We're not involved in the verifications; technical checks are ongoing and will yield results. Safety must be ensured, as the air transport sector prioritizes safety. This issue was noted earlier; tests are being conducted, there's uncertainty, and authorities will address it. We had similar questions with 3G and 4G. Airports have adapted to 2G, 3G, 4G, and with these developments, they will embrace 5G.