SITA reinforces its airline operations leadership with strategic Flightscape acquisition

The acquisition marks an important step in SITA’s evolution from a provider of aviation connectivity solutions to a driver of smarter operational decision-making. By combining Flightscape’s capabilities with its existing portfolio, SITA aims to help airlines and their industry partners predict disruptions earlier, respond more quickly, and improve operational resilience across the entire travel ecosystem.

Under the agreement, SITA will acquire Flightscape, CAE’s airline operations software business. Flightscape’s solutions support a broad range of airline activities, including flight planning, crew management, operational control, ground coordination and onboard service delivery. The addition of these capabilities will enable airlines to make more informed operational decisions and streamline recovery efforts when disruptions occur.

As global air traffic continues to expand, managing airline operations is becoming increasingly complex. With passenger numbers expected to surpass 10 billion annually by 2050, the industry faces mounting operational pressures and ongoing disruption. Every flight relies on seamless coordination between multiple stakeholders, yet most participants still operate with only a partial view of the wider operational picture. SITA’s acquisition of Flightscape is designed to help bridge those gaps, enabling greater visibility, collaboration and efficiency across the aviation ecosystem.

David Lavorel, Chief Executive Officer, SITA commented: “Airlines need to make the best possible use of their aircraft, crews and infrastructure while responding to increasingly complex operational challenges. With Flightscape, we will bring together our respective complementary capabilities to strengthen what we offer airlines and connect their operational decisions with insight from across the aviation ecosystem. That will help our customers anticipate disruption, recover more effectively and run more resilient operations.”

Yann Cabaret, CEO of SITA for Aircraft stated: “The hardest decisions in an operations control center come when plans change and every minute counts,” said Yann Cabaret, CEO of SITA for Aircraft. “Technology and AI can now help airlines and their partners see more of what is happening and respond together. With Flightscape, our aim is to give an airline’s operations team and its partners across the industry the same information when plans change, so they can recover as one operation rather than as separate parts.”

Carter Copeland, President, Flightscape said:“I believe SITA is a natural home for Flightscape and an excellent strategic fit for the business.This transaction positions Flightscape within an organization deeply connected to the global air transport industry.  I am excited about what this combination will mean for Flightscape, its customers and its future.”

Flightscape’s solutions are trusted by more than 90 airlines worldwide, supporting the day-to-day planning, management and execution of flight operations across complex route networks.

As an organization owned by and serving the global air transport community, SITA already plays a central role in connecting airlines, airports and industry stakeholders through the continuous exchange of operational data. However, much of this critical information remains separate from the core systems where operational decisions are made. The addition of Flightscape will strengthen SITA’s portfolio by bringing advanced operational management capabilities into its ecosystem, creating a more connected and intelligent decision-making environment. Integration efforts will begin following completion of the transaction.

The acquisition further reinforces SITA’s long-term commitment to airline operations technology. In recent years, the company has expanded its capabilities through strategic investments, including the acquisition of Safety Line in 2021, whose technology helps airlines improve fuel efficiency, and Big Blue Analytics earlier this year, bringing AI-powered disruption recovery planning to airline operations. Together with Flightscape’s platform, these technologies will be integrated progressively, ensuring a smooth transition while maximizing value for customers.

Flightscape customers will continue to benefit from the reliable service and support they receive today across flight operations and inflight services. The company’s solutions will remain modular, flexible and open, allowing airlines to adopt the capabilities that best fit their requirements while maintaining seamless connectivity with existing systems. SITA also looks forward to welcoming Flightscape’s employees and leveraging the extensive operational expertise they bring to the business.

The transaction is anticipated to close during the first half of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions and the necessary regulatory approvals. Rothschild & Co. is serving as SITA’s sole financial advisor, while Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG) is acting as legal counsel for the transaction.