Sumesh Patel, President of Asia Pacific, SITA
The future of aviation is all about staying connected, using data smartly, and making everything touchless wherever possible. Airports will work together as a single, integrated digital ecosystem, guiding every step of the traveller’s journey. A digital-first mindset is what will truly set Asia’s next generation of aviation leaders apart.
In an interview with TDM, Sumesh Patel, President of Asia Pacific, SITA shares more about unlocking real efficiency in a digital ecosystem, AI, Biometric systems and automation, greener ground handling, Intermodal integration and more…
Travel Daily Media (TDM): Which are the airlines and airports that SITA is working with in Asia and how have you helped them to grow in efficiency and revenue? What kind of connect do you have with different governments in Asia?
Sumesh Patel (SP): SITA really sits at the heart of the region’s aviation ecosystem. We support more than 1,000 airports, 18,000 aircraft, and practically every major destination you can think of. We also help run digital-border programs for more than 70 governments worldwide, which says a lot about the scale we operate at and the trust people place in what we do.
In Asia, our presence is everywhere. We partner with big names like Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, ANA, and Japan Airlines, but we’re just as involved with low-cost carriers, regional airlines, and smaller operators. The same goes for airports, from major international hubs to fast-growing regional terminals and everything in between. No matter where we are working, the goal is the same — we help airlines and airports stay agile as travel demand keeps climbing and passengers expect more. That’s how we support them in running smarter, faster, and more resilient operations, and in giving travelers a smoother journey from start to finish.
Our platforms, whether it’s SITA Flex for passenger processing, Bag Manager, or our border-management solutions, are all about unlocking real efficiency. They help reduce queues, cut manual work, and give passengers a more predictable experience. And these are not just one-off tech upgrades. Together, they create a connected digital backbone that keeps everything moving — even as traffic spikes.
We’re also working closely with governments as they modernize identity management and border control. The aim is simple: strong security without slowing anyone down. By bringing policy, process, and technology together, we help countries keep their borders efficient and traveler-friendly.
So, in short, SITA helps Asia’s airlines, airports, and governments run more intelligently and create travel experiences that reflect the region’s ambition and rapid growth.
TDM: Which new airlines and airports in Asia that are worth considering and what makes them stand apart?
SP: At SITA, we don’t comment on individual operators. What we are seeing, though, is an exciting wave of momentum from emerging carriers and regional airports that are embracing digital transformation from the very start. For these players, the true differentiator isn’t having the biggest terminal or the newest fleet. It’s about how quickly they’re embracing flexible, cloud-native platforms — platforms that let them scale confidently, run operations efficiently, and give passengers a better experience.
By modernizing their processes without relying on heavy on-site infrastructure, they’re able to move with incredible agility. They can respond faster to market growth, adapt to changing traveller expectations, and stay resilient when things get busy. This digital-first mindset is what truly sets Asia’s next generation of aviation leaders apart. It gives them the ability to deliver seamless, future-ready journeys from day one — and that’s something we’re genuinely proud to support.
TDM: What are the challenges of the market? How are you dealing with these challenges?
SP: Asia Pacific’s aviation sector is booming, but airports are feeling the pressure. Fragmented infrastructure, varying levels of digital development, growing passenger numbers, tight workforces, and limited terminal space are all pushing operational limits. The industry needs smarter, more agile solutions to keep everything running smoothly.
That’s where we come in. We tackle these challenges head-on with cloud-based, interoperable solutions that scale quickly, connecting airports, airlines, and governments into a single, seamless ecosystem. By breaking down silos and simplifying processes, we help the industry stay ahead of demand, boost operational efficiency, and deliver travellers more reliable, seamless journeys every step of the way.
TDM: How is AI, biometrics, and automation improving efficiency and passenger experience? What is the digital future for Airlines and Airports?
SP: That’s a great question. AI, biometrics, and automation aren’t just nice-to-haves anymore — they are the backbone of modern air travel. Biometric systems alone can cut processing times by 30–40%, helping shrink queues and improve the overall passenger experience. On top of that, AI gives airports real-time visibility into operations, so they can predict congestion, manage turnarounds efficiently, and handle disruption proactively.
At the same time, automation and digital travel credentials are changing what “seamless” travel looks like. From check-in to baggage to boarding, the journey becomes faster, simpler, and requires far fewer people doing things manually.
Looking ahead, the future of aviation is all about staying connected, using data smartly, and making everything touchless wherever possible. Airports won’t be a series of separate checkpoints anymore. They’ll work together as a single, integrated digital ecosystem, guiding every step of the traveler’s journey with precision, efficiency, and ease.
TDM: How can travel be made seamless, especially in terms of check-in to baggage while travelling with different airlines on one trip? How do you manage the same for intermodal trips mixing air, sea and land?
SP: Well, seamless travel really happens when the core systems of airlines and airports are connected, and when that same digital continuity stretches across the wider travel ecosystem, like hotels and other key trip touchpoints. Today, SITA’s technology is already making this possible. One-stop check-in, baggage tracking, and real-time flight updates across multiple airlines mean travelers can hop between carriers on a single trip without juggling separate check-ins or re-tagging their bags.
We’re putting this vision into action right now. Take Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport. There, SITA is supporting everything from self-bag drop and digital travel credentials to working with hotels and other stakeholders. This lets travelers move smoothly from flights to lodging to leisure activities, all under one connected journey.
And the interesting thing is, it’s not just about air travel. Intermodal integration is picking up speed too. Airport-rail link-ups in cities like Seoul, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur let travelers move effortlessly from plane to train. As these ecosystems evolve, coordinating data across sea, land, and hospitality could make true door-to-door journeys a reality. These are exciting times.
So, what’s next? Shared data standards that bring together air, sea, rail, and hotels. With a unified data layer covering identity, itineraries, and baggage tracking, journeys can become genuinely seamless. No repeated forms, no friction— just fluid, connected travel from start to finish.
TDM: What airlines and airport trends do you see growing in 2026?
SP: Looking ahead to 2026, I think a few big trends are really going to shape how aviation evolves. First, digital-identity corridors and biometric processing will continue to grow. More airports and airlines will embrace identity-first travel experiences, making border control faster and cutting out a lot of the usual friction.
Second, sustainability and data-driven efficiency will take center stage. We’re talking smarter flight operations, greener ground handling, and better resource management — all powered by technology that improves both environmental performance and cost efficiency.
Third, automation is going to scale quickly: baggage handling, border processing, and passenger self-service, all of it. Self-service kiosks, self-bag drops, and biometric gates will stop feeling like innovations and instead become standard features. That shift creates low-touch or even touchless journeys that match what passengers increasingly expect.
And finally, it won’t only be the mega hubs leading the way. Mid-tier airports are emerging as early adopters of next-generation technology. With flexible, cloud-based solutions, they can grow sustainably without needing massive physical infrastructure. This decentralization of innovation means more travellers, in more places, will experience high-tech, high-quality journeys.
TDM: What is the best part of your job? Share with our readers one incident that made you feel tested yet helped you grow. What advice would you give to youngsters who would want to be in your shoes?
SP: What really excites me about working in aviation technology today is that the industry is being reinvented from the inside out. For the first time, digital transformation is not just a vision or a buzzword — it is actually happening in day-to-day operations. It is changing how passengers move, how airlines, airports, and governments work together, and how the entire travel ecosystem connects.
At SITA, we sit right in the middle of this change. I am inspired by how quickly the industry is shifting toward truly connected, data-driven aviation, where aircraft, airports, and border systems can exchange information seamlessly and securely. People have talked about this level of interoperability for years, and now we are finally seeing it come to life.
A few developments stand out for me. Smarter, more autonomous operations are becoming real. AI is helping with everything, from baggage management to predicting congestion and potential disruptions. These tools aren’t just making operations more efficient — they are enhancing the passenger experience at every step. And then you add digital identity and biometrics, which enable travelers to complete many steps before they even arrive at the airport. SITA has been pioneering this space for decades, and seeing it scale globally is a huge moment for the industry.
I am also encouraged by how much deeper collaboration has become across airlines, airports, governments, and technology partners. Aviation has always been about working together, but today’s challenges — whether it is disruption or sustainability — require a new level of integration. SITA’s model puts us in a unique position to bring people together and create solutions that benefit the entire industry, not just one group.
So, what excites me most is that the next era of aviation technology is not about small, incremental improvements. It is about reimagining the travel experience with innovation, openness, and a shared sense of purpose. And SITA has both the responsibility and the opportunity to help lead that transformation.
As for advice to young professionals entering aviation or technology, I always go back to one idea: stay relentlessly curious about the problem, not just the solution. Aviation’s challenges are big, complex, and global. Early in my career, I focused on learning tools and technologies, but over time, I realized that real breakthroughs happen when you truly understand the need, the operation, and the people involved. Technology changes fast; meaningful insight lasts.
I also encourage young people to see collaboration as a strength. No one moves aviation forward on their own — not an airline, not an airport, not a government, and not a technologist. The best ideas come from diverse teams working together with openness and humility.
And finally, remember that this is an industry built on trust and responsibility. Whether you’re designing a system or rethinking part of the passenger journey, your work affects people in the real world. Let that motivate you rather than intimidate you.
If you stay curious, stay collaborative, and stay grounded in purpose, you will not just build a career. You’ll help shape the future of how the world connects.
