SITA, EasyJet unveil mobile App to redefine airport ground operations

October 30, 2025 in Companies, Travel & Tourism by Editor

In a move that could redefine how airports manage aircraft turnaround and passenger handling, air transport technology provider SITA and pan-European low-cost carrier EasyJet have partnered to develop and trial a new mobile ground operations app that allows airline staff to assist passengers anywhere in the terminal — a shift expected to cut queues, speed up boarding, and reduce infrastructure costs across airports.

The innovation, announced this week, marks a major shift in how information flows across the tarmac — from check-in to departure gates — replacing fragmented, paper-heavy procedures with a real-time digital system designed to cut delays and boost efficiency.

According to SITA, the technology provider behind the system, the mobile solution gives ground agents instant access to flight information, passenger data, and aircraft status updates. It also streamlines communication between dispatchers, baggage handlers, and boarding teams — all traditionally reliant on radio calls and fixed workstations.

The SITA Agent App, piloted over 12 months at London Gatwick and four other UK airports, replaces fixed airport desks with mobile devices connected to check-in, boarding, and bag-tagging systems. More than 1,000 ground crew members participated in the trial, collectively printing 40,000 boarding passes, checking in over 30,000 passengers, and boarding more than five million travellers.

At Gatwick alone, staff boarded 1.4 million passengers and issued 17,000 boarding passes in just eight months — results SITA says demonstrate the app’s potential to transform ground operations. The airline now plans to roll out the solution across its network of more than 150 airports in Europe.

Simon Cox, Director of Ground Operations at easyJet, said the new tool gives teams “the freedom to assist customers on the spot, helping reduce queues, speed up check-in, and deliver a more personal, efficient experience.” He added that the app supports the airline’s push toward more customer-centric and flexible airport operations.

By decoupling services from fixed counters, the system reduces the need for costly airport infrastructure and offers operational resilience during disruptions. It also simplifies staff training by consolidating multiple service functions into one interface.

“Collaboration is key when improving efficiency across the industry,” said Nathalie Altwegg, SITA’s Senior Vice President for Airports. “By innovating with easyJet, we’ve created a solution that brings agility to ground operations while giving passengers the faster, more personal service they expect.”

For easyJet, the system promises greater operational flexibility and faster turnarounds across its high-frequency network. The airline said early trials had shown measurable improvements in coordination and on-time performance, with staff able to manage boarding, baggage tracking, and incident reporting directly from the app.

The rollout forms part of a wider industry trend toward mobile-enabled operations, as airlines and airports adapt to labour constraints, passenger growth, and tighter performance metrics. SITA’s ground operations suite is already being explored by other carriers seeking to reduce ground time while enhancing the passenger experience.

SITA, owned by the air transport industry, provides technology solutions to over 1,000 airports, 19,600 aircraft, and 70 governments worldwide. The company says the easyJet collaboration is part of its broader effort to make aviation more connected, efficient, and sustainable through digital tools and smart operations.