Global air transport technology provider SITA has acquired Big Blue Analytics, the developer of an advanced artificial intelligence-powered disruption management platform, in a move set to reshape how airlines respond to operational crises.
The acquisition brings into SITA’s portfolio the OCC Assistant Manager (OCCam), a cutting-edge system designed to help airlines significantly reduce the financial and operational impact of flight disruptions – an industry-wide challenge that costs carriers billions of dollars annually.
Announced in Geneva on June 1, 2026, the deal positions SITA to scale the proven solution globally, leveraging its extensive footprint across more than 3,800 airports and airlines worldwide.
OCCam stands out by addressing one of aviation’s most complex operational hurdles; real-time disruption recovery. Unlike traditional systems that tackle aircraft, crew, passenger, and maintenance issues sequentially, the AI-powered platform evaluates all constraints simultaneously and generates ranked, feasible recovery plans within minutes.
Industry data shows that airlines already using OCCam have reduced disruption-related costs by up to 30 per cent. For mid-sized carriers operating fleets of over 100 aircraft, this could translate into savings of between $20 million and $30 million annually.
“Airlines have traditionally treated disruption as a fixed cost of doing business, but there is a clear opportunity to approach it differently.
“In an increasingly volatile and fast-moving environment, the ability to recover with agility is critical. Airlines that move first will recover faster, protect more revenue, and deliver better outcomes for passengers”, CEO of SITA, David Lavorel said.
For decades, disruption management has remained a persistent challenge due to the need to simultaneously balance multiple variables under constantly changing conditions. Existing tools often create inefficiencies by handling operational elements in sequence, leading to cascading delays and increased costs.
By contrast, OCCam enables operations control teams to receive integrated recovery options that optimise aircraft deployment, crew scheduling, and passenger itineraries in one step. The system also provides measurable insights, allowing airlines to track decisions, quantify savings, and evaluate performance in real time.
SITA said it plans to integrate OCCam into its broader vision of an AI-enabled Intelligent Operations Control Center, where planning, monitoring, and recovery are unified within a single ecosystem.
CEO, SITA for Aircraft, Yann Cabaret, said: “This is the first step towards a much bigger vision.
“AI allows us to handle multiple constraints at once and tailor decisions to each airline in ways that were not previously possible”.
The acquisition also marks a significant milestone for Big Blue Analytics, whose optimisation engine has already been tested in live airline environments.
“With SITA, we can take what we have built further, reaching more airlines faster and turning advanced optimisation into practical tools that help operations teams work smarter every day”, Founder of Big Blue Analytics, Pau Collellmir, added.
SITA’s expansion into advanced AI solutions builds on its track record of deploying digital tools such as Mission Watch and OptiFlight, reinforcing its position at the forefront of innovation in airline operations.
As global aviation continues to face increasing volatility – from weather disruptions to operational constraints the integration of AI-driven solutions like OCCam is expected to play a pivotal role in improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing passenger experience worldwide.