Air transport technology giant Sita has acquired airport and airline tech company Materna IPS for an undisclosed sum.
German-based Materna IPS is a market leader in self-bag drop and check-in solutions at kiosks, counters and online, and operates in Europe, North America, India and Japan.
Announcing the deal, Sita hailed it as a “major strategic acquisition” and “game-changing move”, suggesting the companies’ technology solutions “complement each other in a powerful way”.
It claimed the deal would make Sita “the undisputed leader” in passenger processing at airports.
The takeover remains subject to regulatory approval.
Sita chief executive David Lavorel said: “By combining our solutions and expertise we’ll take the passenger journey, and operations around it, to a dimension of efficiency never seen before.
“Airports and airlines will get the most innovative passenger handling solutions available.”
Lavorel suggested: “This acquisition fits perfectly with our growth strategy. We’re on a transformation path.”
Georg Oschmann, chief executive at Materna IPS, added: “We see boundless potential for growth and development. This strategic move is an ideal fit with our commitment to innovation and excellence, using our combined strengths to drive progress.”
Air transport IT provider Sita provides a portfolio of technologies, including biometric border technology to governments and airport operations management to more than 1,000 airports.
The company is collectively owned by aviation industry members and operates in more than 200 countries and territories.