…AI, biometrics, digital borders reshaping global aviation
The global aviation industry is increasingly turning to technology rather than infrastructure expansion to prepare for an expected surge in passenger traffic, with projections indicating that annual air travel could reach 10 billion passengers by 2050.
This is the central message of the SITA Impact Report 2025, released by global air transport technology provider SITA, which highlights how artificial intelligence (AI), biometric border processing and digital airport systems are already transforming airport operations, airline efficiency and border management worldwide.
According to the report, the industry is expected to carry about eight billion passengers annually within the next 20 to 25 years before rising to 10 billion by 2050, based on forecasts by International Air Transport Association. Rather than building twice as many airports, aircraft or border facilities, airlines, airports and governments are leveraging digital technologies to expand capacity and improve operational resilience.
Digital borders transforming passenger processing
One of the report’s major findings is the growing adoption of pre-arrival border processing.
It revealed that more than 271 million travellers each year now undergo risk assessments supported by SITA before reaching their destinations, with most assessments completed in under four seconds.
In Aruba, the report noted, passengers using digital travel credentials and biometric verification can complete border formalities in as little as eight seconds, representing a 78 per cent improvement over previous processing times.
AI moves from pilot projects to daily operations
The report also showed that artificial intelligence has shifted from experimental projects to critical operational functions across the aviation sector.
SITA’s AI-powered OptiFlight platform processed 2.9 million flights for 59 airlines in 2025, helping operators save 127,732 tonnes of aviation fuel and preventing approximately 403,633 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions through more efficient flight profiles.
At airports including Toronto Pearson and Abu Dhabi, AI-driven Total Airport Management solutions are helping airlines recover valuable turnaround time, improving airport capacity without physical expansion.
Similarly, at Thai Airways, AI-enabled baggage management through SITA WorldTracer Auto Reflight has reduced the time required to reroute mishandled baggage from three minutes to just one second.
Stronger resilience during disruptions
Beyond efficiency gains, the report stressed that technology is becoming essential for maintaining operations during major disruptions.
In France, a 2025 trial at the Reims Control Centre enabled air traffic controllers to access the same live weather information available to pilots and airline dispatchers, reducing weather-related delays by up to 65 per cent and saving as much as 105,000 delay minutes during 21 days of adverse weather.
SITA also noted that during the global CrowdStrike IT outage in 2025, more than 460 flights continued operating through its Maestro Departure Control System.
The company added that its operational support during Hajj 2025 ensured uninterrupted airline and airport operations with zero downtime and no major incidents.
Digital innovation cuts lost baggage
The report highlighted improvements in baggage handling through partnerships with technology companies.
According to SITA, airlines participating in its collaboration with Apple now joined by Google recorded a 90 per cent reduction in permanently lost luggage for baggage equipped with Apple AirTags using SITA WorldTracer’s location-sharing capability.
The report also cited Frankfurt Airport’s new Terminal 3, designed to accommodate up to 19 million passengers annually in its first phase, as an example of digital-first airport development built around common-use technology.
Revenue, sustainability record growth
SITA Chief Executive Officer, David Lavorel, said the aviation industry’s future growth depends on technology-driven collaboration among airlines, airports, governments and industry partners.
He said airports are increasing capacity within existing facilities, governments are clearing passengers before they arrive at border checkpoints, while AI is becoming integral to day-to-day airline operations rather than remaining in pilot programmes.
The report also showed strong business performance for the company, with revenue increasing seven per cent to US$1.71 billion in 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year of growth between seven and eight per cent.
On sustainability, SITA reported a 1.3 per cent reduction in emissions during the year, bringing total emissions reductions to 32 per cent compared with 2019 levels. The company also disclosed that 90 per cent of the electricity used across its global offices now comes from renewable sources.
The full report is available on sita.aero.