NEC Corporation and SITA enter into a global partnership to develop market-leading solutions that enable a secure walk-through travel experience at airports. The solutions will be developed leveraging NEC’s I-Delight identity management platform together with SITA Smart Path and SITA Flex. The solution will be developed using the companies’ global presence in the market and the combination of technology of Common Use Platforms and AI solutions.

This partnership will allow airports and airlines go low-touch and offer automated passenger processing while comply with new hygiene requirements following the global COVID-19 pandemic, in line with recommendations from Airports Council International and IATA. Moreover, the partnership will empower NEC and SITA to further unlock the potential of seamless next-generation passenger processing solutions, making mobile-enabled and touchless airport processes a reality. Passengers will be able to use their digital identity on their mobile phones whenever they travel at each step in the journey. Passengers will use their biometric identity to check-in, make payments, drop their bags, as well as pass-through security, immigration, and boarding by simply scanning their faces at each step. The key touchpoints will automatically recognize you as a passenger, taking steps such as bag drop and boarding effortless.

We look forward to this partnership with SITA and the opportunity to develop and implement the most advanced platforms at airports throughout the world

Masakazu Yamashina, Executive Vice President, NEC, says, “NEC is pleased to collaborate with SITA to provide 'NEC I:Delight,' which utilizes NEC's cutting-edge digital identity solutions that capitalize on biometrics technologies to deliver a unified customer experience across a wide range of services.”

Raffie Beroukhim, CEO, NEC Corporation of America & Head of NEC Global Aviation Center of Excellence, asserts, “We look forward to this partnership with SITA and the opportunity to develop and implement the most advanced platforms at airports throughout the world, thereby contributing to the digitization of the airline industry and making travel safer and more enjoyable.”

Barbara Dalibard, CEO of SITA, adds, “In NEC we have another strong partner where together we are able to deliver to our airline and airport customers a more seamless, automated journey through the airport. We know that passengers value the benefit of a truly self-service experience. Leveraging SITA’s common-use footprint in more than 460 airports globally and NEC’s award-winning identity management technology, we are well placed to help our customers deliver a truly unique and efficient experience in the airport, particularly during these challenging times where there is increased focus on the health and safety of passengers.”