Air transport technology specialist SITA has acquired Milan-based airport interiors specialist CCM as it looks to strengthen its position by offering a turnkey solution for airport design with smoother passenger experiences.
With airports increasingly focusing on biometric, self-service, and automated solutions, as well as personalised commercial services, terminal layouts must evolve alongside these innovations. Smart technology and intelligent design go hand in hand when it comes to ensuring a seamless passenger and operational experience and optimising the use of space within the terminal.
The acquisition of CCM – a family-run business that has made its mark on more than 300 airports worldwide, including Hamad International, Bahrain International, Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci, Bordeaux, Mumbai, Hanoi, Kunming, Madrid Barajas and Guangzhou Baiyun – will enable SITA to leverage the company’s reputation as a world-famous high-quality interior design firm with access to leading architects and designers.
Emphasising that the merging of the two companies isn’t just about expanding airports, “it’s about reimagining them,” David Lavorel, CEO at SITA said, “Building efficient, tech-enabled environments is crucial for the future of travel. Airports are not just transit points; they mark a moment in a journey, no matter the destination. By integrating our expertise, we bring to life the airports of the future – architecture that is built on tech solutions and driven by efficiency to improve the overall travel experience for passengers and the operations of airport staff.”
The combination of SITA’s technology to drive the transformation of airport operations and CCM’s deep understanding of design and space optimisation will bring a “unique technology by design capability and end-to-end integration from design to operations,” added Sergio Colella, President, Europe at SITA. The latter’s 2024 Air Transport IT Insights report suggests that 63% of airports are prioritising self-service, biometrics and mobile apps, while IT spending has surged to USD 8.9 billion as airports focus on automation, AI and digitalisation. However, airports need to be designed comprehensively to allow the full benefit of these solutions.
According to Monica Oberti, Interim CEO of CCM, “airports have had to choose between efficiency and passenger experience for too long. Now they don’t have to. By joining forces with SITA, we can finally bring together the best of both worlds – smart technology, intelligent design and quality production.”
Image: David Lavorel, SITA.
