Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has partnered with IT solutions provider SITA to support the modernisation of 26 airports across the country.

The latest collaboration marks another major milestone in the partnership between the GACA and SITA.

As part of the technology upgrade, SITA is deploying its AirportConnect Open platform, which can be leveraged by airlines to work seamlessly at airports using common facilities. It also offers a self-service experience from check-in to boarding.

Additionally, the platform delivers future-proof infrastructure that will support the implementation of new solutions such as biometric single-token travel and common-use payment systems.

It has also been supported by the introduction of Wide Area Network (WAN) and Local Area Network (LAN) connectivity across all airports.

GACA president Abdulhakim bin Muhammad Al-Tamimi said: “GACA has mapped out a clear future for Saudi airports, enabling us to meet our continued passenger growth while maintaining the world’s best airport facilities.

“We recognised that SITA was best suited to support this transformation. They have worked closely with us to implement our requirements for each airport and provide the right solution.”

“GACA has mapped out a clear future for Saudi airports, enabling us to meet our continued passenger growth.”

SITA is also offering GACA a baggage management solution that allows GACA airports to meet the baggage tracking requirements of IATA’s Resolution 753.

SITA’s technology will enable airlines to track and capture baggage data at check-in, loading onto the aircraft, transfer and on arrival.

Simultaneously, SITA is installing its airport management solution and flight information display system at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport. The new solutions will offer real-time information to help GACA proactively manage their resources across the airport.

The airport management solution will be implemented at an additional 21 GACA airports before the end of the year.

SITA has also installed Airport iValidate gates at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport and Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.

iValidate, a passenger document authentication system, automates verification of all types of boarding passes, including mobile boarding and home-printed passes.