SITA launches managed airport network service with HPE

SITA has launched SITA Campus Network powered by HPE Aruba Networking, a managed network service for airports and other transport hubs.

The product is designed to let airports and airlines outsource the setup and operation of local connectivity networks instead of running them in-house. It covers both wired and wireless environments and is aimed at complex sites such as terminals, hangars and airline operations centres.

Airports typically span multiple buildings, support large numbers of devices and rely on a mix of suppliers, making network management difficult and expensive. SITA is positioning the service as a way to reduce that burden by centralising management and monitoring.

Built on HPE networking technology, the service uses cloud-based controls to manage performance across airport campuses and transport sites. It also uses artificial intelligence tools to improve visibility, identify faults earlier and automate some troubleshooting tasks.

This is intended to cut downtime and reduce the need for on-site technical support, spare hardware and repeated staff training. Customers can also link the campus service to SITA's wider global network, which connects more than 600 airports.

Martin Smillie, Senior Vice President, Communications and Data Exchange at SITA, said airport operators were facing growing complexity as more systems and devices became connected.

"Integrating diverse systems and devices across airport environments is becoming more complex as operations become more connected," Smillie said. "At the same time, expectations on performance, resilience and security continue to rise. With SITA Campus Network powered by Aruba, we take on that complexity. We deliver a network that is set up, run and continuously optimized, so our customers can focus on keeping operations moving while maintaining control across increasingly demanding environments."

Managed model

The launch reflects a broader shift in aviation technology procurement as airports and airlines move more infrastructure to managed service models. For operators under pressure to control costs while maintaining reliable operations, outsourcing network management can reduce upfront spending and shift technology costs into operating budgets.

The service is available in more than 145 countries and includes round-the-clock operational support. SITA is also offering it on a pay-as-you-go basis, allowing customers to scale usage with demand and roll it out across multiple sites.

The company argues that the economics matter as much as the technical design. By reducing the amount of hardware customers need to buy and simplifying day-to-day operations, the service is intended to lower both initial investment and ongoing costs.

HPE, whose Aruba networking business supplies the underlying technology, said the transport sector is especially demanding because networks must support passengers, staff and operational systems at the same time. Problems can have immediate effects on delays, customer experience and airport processes.

"Airports and airlines have to support thousands of staff, passengers, and mission critical systems across terminals, gates, and airside areas-and any network issue shows up immediately as delays and frustration," said Sujai Hajela, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Enterprise Campus and Branch, HPE. "SITA Campus Network powered by HPE Aruba Networking is built on our secure, AI-native technology to deliver a self-driving network that spots and fixes problems in real time, often before anyone notices, so operations keep moving and passengers stay connected."

Broader reach

SITA is a longstanding technology supplier to the aviation sector and says its systems support more than 1,000 airports and over 19,600 aircraft worldwide. It also says it handles 45% to 50% of the air transport industry's data exchange, giving it a significant role in how airport and airline systems connect.

The campus networking launch also fits SITA's effort to broaden its product range beyond traditional connectivity and messaging services. In recent years, the group has expanded into areas including self-service systems, airport operations, border technology and transport markets outside aviation.

For airports, the appeal of a managed campus network will depend on whether outsourcing can improve reliability without limiting control over existing systems and vendors. SITA says customers will retain flexibility to use different technologies while handing over day-to-day network operations to the company.

The service is intended for dense operational settings where large numbers of users and devices must remain connected during peak periods, including terminals, hangars and airline operations centres.