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Abu Dhabi Airports Partners with SITA on AI-Driven iTAM Platform

Abu Dhabi Airports and SITA sign MoU to co-develop autonomous AI platform revolutionizing airport operations and on-time performance.

Abu Dhabi Airports and SITA sign MoU to co-develop autonomous AI platform revolutionizing airport operations and on-time performance.

Abu Dhabi Airports and SITA sign MoU to co-develop autonomous AI platform revolutionizing airport operations and on-time performance.

NewDecoded

Published Nov 26, 2025

Nov 26, 2025

3 min read


Abu Dhabi Airports (ADA) and SITA signed a Memorandum of Understanding on November 25, 2025, to jointly develop an Intelligent Total Airport Management (iTAM) platform. The AI-driven system will enable autonomous decision-making across airport operations, with the goal of improving on-time performance and operational efficiency. Zayed International Airport will serve as the initial deployment site, positioning it to become one of the world's first fully connected digital airports. The iTAM platform will integrate real-time data from airlines, ground handlers, air traffic control, government agencies, and airport systems into a unified operational dashboard. Using advanced analytics and autonomous workflows, the system will anticipate disruptions before they occur, optimize resource allocation, and coordinate decisions across the entire airport ecosystem. The platform is designed as a scalable foundation that can be adapted for airports globally.

"By enabling Zayed International Airport to become one of the world's first truly connected digital airports, and by powering this with iTAM at the core, we are creating a unified operational source of truth that accelerates growth and sets a new global benchmark for smart, seamless journeys," said Andrew Murphy, Chief Information Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports.

Selim Bouri, President of MEA at SITA, emphasized the collaborative approach: "Every operational choice affects airlines, passengers, and partners across the airport. By collaborating with Abu Dhabi Airports, we have an opportunity to co-create a smarter way of working, one that uses data and intelligence to make every decision more predictable and more efficient." The initiative responds to rising global passenger numbers and mounting pressure on major hubs to deliver more predictable operations. By detecting disruptions earlier and managing resources more effectively, the platform aims to create smoother passenger journeys while giving airport teams better tools to prevent operational issues from escalating. The MoU marks the beginning of a development process that both organizations expect will establish a new reference point for AI-driven airport operations worldwide.

Decoded Take

Decoded Take

Decoded Take

This partnership signals a significant shift in how airports approach operational management, moving from reactive problem-solving to predictive, autonomous systems. While airport collaborative decision-making platforms exist today, iTAM represents a leap toward full AI autonomy in managing complex, multi-stakeholder environments. The strategic importance extends beyond Abu Dhabi: as airports globally struggle with capacity constraints and passenger experience expectations, integrated platforms that can make real-time decisions across entire ecosystems may become essential infrastructure. SITA's involvement suggests the technology could be commercialized across its global customer base, potentially standardizing intelligent airport operations across major hubs. The focus on "unified operational source of truth" addresses a longstanding industry challenge where siloed data systems prevent coordinated responses, making this a potential template for next-generation airport digitalization.

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