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SITA B.V.

SITA

SITA’s vision: The transport industry is constantly under pressure to streamline the journey. IT is providing answers, but to make the biggest impact, it needs to span the journey, at all stages. IT needs to bring together processes and players, making every touchpoint smooth and streamlined. Or as we say in SITA’s vision, IT needs to ensure: "Easy air travel every step of the way". We’re striving towards our vision in three ways: First, we’re facilitating industry collaboration, because we know and work with the players involved Second, we’re maintaining our focus on operational excellence for airlines and at airports. Our portfolio and services manage the complexity of industry operations, processes and, vitally, data flows And third, we’re working hard to deliver the seamless passenger journey, through the latest self-service technologies and constant co-innovations with customers Each of these three themes underpins SITA’s vision, and togeth (...)

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Filip Cornelis (Director Mobility and Transport)

6 Feb 2025 · Exchange of views regarding SES2+ (Reg EU2024/2803) and its impact on communication service providers

Response to Digitalisation of travel documents and facilitation of travel

6 Oct 2022

SITA is a leading provider of travel, transportation and border management solutions globally. We are pioneers in the field of passenger data and electronic travel solutions and systems, including the use of digital and non-digital identities. As an organisation owned and operated by the aviation industry, we would welcome the opportunity to assist the Commission in their review of the digitation of travel documents, including sharing our experience with other authorities and nations. SITA supports the digitalisation of travel documents on the basis of the ICAO DTC standard (Option 3). • European Commission to adopt and promote the global ICAO DTC standard, not a European derivative. • European Commission to ensure ‘capacity building’ initiatives are in place to support Member States in their national development of DTC programs. • European Commission to provide coordination across Member States to track the progress of, inter alia, the transposal of the DTC directive(s) into national law. • European Commission and/or eu-LISA to provide a strategic view of how DTC, EES, ETIAS, API, PNR etc. all fit together, without duplication of effort/data and minimizing disruption/cost to the travel and tourism sectors. • DTCs of Third Country Nationals (TCNs) to be accepted at all external borders of the European Union. • All infrastructure (e.g. Border Control Points, e-Gates, Kiosks etc.) to be DTC compatible from the outset (or for specific dates to be set in legislation to ensure rapid adoption/compliance by Member States). • All TCNs, regardless of visa status, to be eligible (and encouraged) to use Member States’ e-Gates for all ‘subsequent’ entries/exits, once they have been successfully registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).
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Response to Advance Information on Air Passengers

14 Aug 2020

SITA welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback to the European Commission’s public consultation on the impact assessment on possible revised rules on Advance Passenger Information (API). SITA fully supports this revision and as an organization that helps airlines and governments on all continents deliver, process and analyze passenger data, we remain willing to contribute and assist the Commission. We make the following observations: 1. Scope of API Data Collection Widening the scope of API data collection to include ‘inter-state’ travelers has helped improve border security, reduce illegal immigration and prevent or detect criminality. With the increasing demand for passenger data around the world, we recommend controlled and cooperative sharing of API data between nations, minimizing the financial and operational impact on carriers. Any expansion in API data collection must of course be balanced with the free movement rights enjoyed within the EU. General and Business Aviation is a gap in the passenger data for nations and remains a risk in terms of border control evasion, criminality and smuggling. While operating procedures are very different to scheduled carriers, technology solutions exist to support the submission of API. The Commission should make itself aware of these solutions during any subsequent phases. In line with many other countries, collecting traveler information for all border crossings, including Land and Maritime borders, represents a significant step in closing security gaps. We therefore recommend expanding data collection beyond the aviation sector to close these gaps and help prevent those with ill intent from using rail or ferry services as the perceived “weaker border”. 2. API Errors and Data Quality 100% error-free collection and submission of API data is not possible. Further, fines should only be imposed as a last resort and when there is a failure to cooperate. SITA recommends a collaborative approach between government and carriers. This should include a “feedback” process where data errors (including lack of submission and/or receipt), should be notified to both carrier and government as near to real-time as possible to allow for resolution. 3. Technical Solutions There are many technology providers assisting carriers and governments in the submission and processing of passenger data. We would recommend that the Commission work with these service providers to assist the community in improving data acquisition. In response to the Covid-19 crisis, governments have found that using interactive API (iAPI) solutions, with real-time analysis and denial of boarding capability, has enabled them to rapidly protect their borders and citizens. Examples of this include Australia and New Zealand utilizing their deployment of Advance Passenger Processing (APP) iAPI. Interactive API solutions are now in place in circa 20 countries and evidence shows that the quality of the data they receive is significantly better than in batch API. We would strongly recommend the Commission consider the extended use of iAPI solutions, particularly as both EES and ETIAS are expected to have an interactive data element. Carrier impact will be minimized and take-up quicker if existing solutions are adopted. Implementing APP saves the industry money as noted in the Audit Report from the Australian National Audit Office (https://www.anao.gov.au/sites/g/files/net616/f/ANAO_Report_2005-2006_34.pdf) which quotes: “The APP system has benefited all parties. It provides greater border security, […] it has reduced the cost to airlines and shipping companies of arrivals without proper documentation. For example, in 2000–01 fines totalled around $23m but are estimated to be around $3m in 2006–07.” Supporting the need to minimize the technical, financial and operation impact on carriers, we would encourage the Commission to review existing technical solutions, rather than creating new systems.
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