Increasing operational complexity and pressure for more predictable airport performance, major aviation hubs are seeking smarter, more connected ways to operate. Abu Dhabi Airports (ADA) has now taken a bold step toward this future, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SITA to co-develop an Intelligent Total Airport Management (iTAM) platform, an AI-driven system designed to revolutionise airport operations through autonomous decision-making, real-time data integration, and improved operational efficiency.
The iTAM concept represents a major evolution in how airports will coordinate, predict, and respond to operational challenges. At its core, the platform aims to bring together disparate sources of operational data, airlines, ground handling, ATC, security agencies, and airport systems into a single shared view. This consolidation allows airports to link insights, automate workflows, and make faster, more informed decisions across the entire ecosystem.
Meeting the Demands of a Changing Global Landscape
Passenger numbers continue to surge worldwide, and airports are increasingly expected to deliver seamless, efficient, and interruption-free experiences. As capacity constraints and traveller expectations rise, traditional operational models often struggle to keep pace.
Through this collaboration, Abu Dhabi Airports seeks to build a more connected and resilient operating model, one that enables earlier detection of disruption, more precise resource allocation, and better coordination across airport stakeholders. The proposed iTAM platform will use advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to automate and optimise critical processes, directly enhancing safety, efficiency, and On-Time Performance (OTP).
With accurate data flowing across all airport partners in real time, operators will be able to identify bottlenecks earlier, mitigate delays proactively, and enhance the end-to-end passenger journey.
A Unified Vision for the Digital Airport of the Future
Andrew Murphy, Chief Information Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, emphasised the transformative potential of the initiative, stating:
“This collaboration with SITA advances Abu Dhabi’s vision to be at the forefront of global innovation and digital transformation. 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.”
The vision goes beyond incremental improvement. The iTAM platform seeks to establish an intelligent foundation for airports, one that supports autonomous decision-making, ongoing optimisation, and continuous improvement across the entire operation.
Co-Creating a Global Reference Model
SITA, one of the world’s leading aviation IT providers, views the partnership as an opportunity to establish best-practice standards for airport digital transformation. Selim Bouri, President of MEA at SITA, highlighted the complexity of today’s operational environment:
“Airports today work in an environment that is more complex and more interconnected than ever. 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.”
He emphasised that smarter decision-making not only improves the passenger experience but also equips operational teams with tools to anticipate disruption rather than simply react to it.
This MoU sets the stage for both organisations to jointly develop capabilities that could redefine how airports worldwide manage operations. The goal is clear: to create a model that becomes a global reference point for AI-enabled, predictable, and resilient airport management.
Shaping the Next Era of Airport Operations
The agreement between Abu Dhabi Airports and SITA marks a significant milestone in the shift toward intelligent, integrated airport operations. As airports worldwide seek solutions that enhance performance, resilience, and passenger satisfaction, the iTAM platform represents a major leap forward—one driven by AI, underpinned by real-time data, and designed for the increasingly interconnected ecosystem of global aviation.
The journey has only just begun, but its ambition is unmistakable: to position Abu Dhabi as a pioneer of the truly digital airport, and to establish a new benchmark for operational excellence and smart airport management across the world.
