Tunisair and SITA complete IT outsourcing deal
The IT master plan, which will be implemented by AISA over the next three years, will bring Tunisair’s IT platform into line with international standards, upgrading existing applications and delivering new ones where necessary.
SITA, the specialist provider of IT solutions to airlines and airports worldwide, today announced the establishment of a joint venture with Tunisair and local partner, MEDSOFT, for the complete outsourcing of the national carrier’s IT needs for the next ten years.
At a ceremony today in Tunis during the AGM of the Arab Air Carriers Organization, SITA CEO Francesco Violante, said: “This is the largest outsourcing deal SITA has ever signed with an airline and provides us with a welcome opportunity to work with a progressive partner in the deployment of the very latest IT technology.”
Nabil Chettaoui, Tunisair Group CEO and President, said: “This strategic partnership is a major milestone in the history of our airline, allowing us to leverage the knowledge and expertise of SITA, the only major IT provider owned by the air transport community. Our joint venture will be known as AISA – Aviation IT Services Africa – and will modernise our administrative and operational systems, reducing our costs through the smart use of the latest IT technology.
“I am also very pleased that Tunisair in the year of its 60th anniversary will become a showcase for the latest aviation technology in a region which is starting to embrace new technology such as e-ticketing and web-enabled passenger self-service for booking and check-in.”
Tunisair’s fleet of 30 aircraft is currently being renewed. In July 2008 Tunisair ordered 16 new Airbus and signed an industrial agreement which allows for the creation of 2,000 new jobs in Tunisia. Nabil Chettaoui, said: “In the current economic climate, this purchase order is proof to the air transport market of our confidence in our long term strategy.”
Tunisair flies to 49 destinations averaging 55 flights per day. The airline carries 3.6 million passengers annually and had $825 million in turnover last year. Some 80 former staff of Tunisair have been transferred to AISA.
Francesco Violante said: “The creation of this joint venture underlines the success of our outsourcing strategy and builds on our achievements to date. There is no doubt that as the IT environment becomes more complex and challenging for airlines, outsourcing in partnership with a specialist like SITA becomes more attractive as it allows the airline to focus on growing its core business.”
The CEO of MEDSOFT, Mondher Benayed, said: “This is a very significant business development for Tunisair and we are pleased to have been chosen as the local partner to actively move this joint venture forward. Tunisia is well known for the availability of good talent in the ICT sector. MEDSOFT will assign skilled local resources to work closely with AISA in order to become its privileged partner.
“Enterprise resource management is an area of particular focus under the IT Master Plan. AISA will be working on key areas such as finance and administration with a view to improving productivity across Tunisair, and MEDSOFT will play a key role in this area.”
The IT master plan, which will be implemented by AISA over the next three years, will bring Tunisair’s IT platform into line with international standards, upgrading existing applications and delivering new ones where necessary. It will cover everything from IT infrastructure to applications and integrated solutions that improve passenger processing and sales.
A specific focus of the IT Master Plan will be on integrated flight operations with a view to maximising aircraft usage while reducing fuel costs. Passenger management will also be addressed in order to take full advantage of direct channel ticket sales, reduce costs and improve Tunisair’s overall competitiveness.
AISA is based in Tunis.
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