SITA has announced it has evolved its structure to strengthen local leadership and better serve its 2,700 customers around the world.

The air transport IT and communications firm says its global community of customers and members will now be supported by integrated local teams within four geographic areas: Americas; Asia Pacific; Europe; and Middle East, India and Africa. As part of this announcement, new appointments to SITA’s Senior Leadership Team have also been made.  

“The needs of our customers and the air transport IT market are constantly evolving and we need to ensure we are anticipating and meeting those needs,” says Francesco Violante, SITA CEO. “With more resources aligned to our customers, SITA will be able to respond more quickly to their requirements. The consolidation of our regional activities and improved engagement with our central organisation will strengthen our ability to provide industry-leading solutions while delivering excellent customer service. This is a change that is right for SITA, our customers and our staff. It also ensures we are well positioned to grow and to ensure our customers’ success into the future.” 

SITA says its four new Geography teams have increased authority and a broader set of responsibilities from project initiation through service delivery and management throughout the project’s lifecycle. Each will be led by a geography president who reports directly to the CEO and is a member of the SITA Senior Leadership Team, giving the customer and Geography perspective a stronger voice at SITA’s most senior management level. Many of SITA’s customer-facing activities, such as project delivery, client service and business management for the Airport, Passenger and Communications and Infrastructure Solution Lines have been moved to the Geographies.

Among the new appointments are four presidents: Americas, Paul Houghton; Asia Pacific, Ilya Gutlin; Europe, Dave Bakker; and Middle East India and Africa, Hani El-Assaad. In addition, Rob Watkins takes command of SITA Global Services, which provides 24/7 global service support for SITA’s customers.