BEIRUT - 11 January, 2010 - Middle East Airlines today announced the implementation of the first ever integrated baggage management system in Lebanon. The new system, provided by aviation IT specialist SITA, will reduce the level of mishandled baggage and will facilitate security at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport.
The system will immediately benefit 80% of the airlines flying to Lebanon whose flights are handled by Middle East Airlines Ground Handling (MEAG) and will also be made available to other ground handlers at the airport.
SITA's integrated baggage management system (BagManager and BagMessage) is a leading solution adopted by a majority of airlines and airports worldwide. It provides passenger-bag reconciliation which ensures that the right bag gets on the right plane and is assigned to the right passenger. By reducing the number of mishandled bags it is expected to deliver Middle East Airlines cost savings of up to 30%.
Adib Charif, CIO, Middle East Airlines, said: "Customer service is a priority to our airline and we aim to implement a system which not only improves service through better baggage management, but also provides cost savings and extra security.
"SITA's solution will enable MEA to meet ICAO's security rules regarding baggage reconciliation prior to flight departure. On-time departures and security levels will both improve because the system makes certain that passengers and their baggage fly together on the same flight."
Hani El Assaad, SITA Regional Vice-President, Middle East and Turkey said: "Any airline that implements SITA BagManager has the potential of reducing the number of mishandled bags, a welcome improvement for passengers. And of course, a necessary cost saving as each mishandled bag costs the airlines on average $90 and the worldwide cost to the industry is estimated at $2.9 billion.[1]"
SITA BagManager is in use at more than 70 airports, and by hundreds of airlines, worldwide interfacing with check-in and baggage sorting systems to deliver end-to-end baggage management and reconciliation. It seamlessly integrates with WorldTracer, which is the single shared database of lost bags that is accessible by more than 440 customers globally, delivering worldwide round-the clock baggage tracing.
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About SITASITA is the world's leading specialist in air transport communication and IT solutions. SITA delivers and manages business solutions for airline, airport, GDS, government and other customers over the world's most extensive network, which forms the communications backbone of the global air transport industry.
SITA's portfolio includes managed global communications, infrastructure and outsourcing services, as well as services for airline commercial management and passenger operations, flight operations, aircraft operations and air-to-ground communications, airport management and operations, baggage operations, transportation security and border management, cargo operations and more. With a customer service team of over 1,600 staff around the world, SITA invests significantly in achieving best-in-class customer service, providing integrated local and global support for both its communications and IT application services.
SITA has two main subsidiaries: OnAir, which is the leading provider of in-flight connectivity, and CHAMP Cargosystems, the world's only IT company dedicated solely to air cargo. SITA also operates two joint ventures providing services to the air transport community: Aviareto for aircraft asset management and CertiPath for secure electronic identity management.
SITA is one of the world's most international companies. Its global reach is based on local presence, with services for around 550 air transport industry members and 3,200 customers in over 200 countries and territories. In 2009, the company celebrates 60 years in business. Set up in 1949 with 11 member airlines, SITA today employs people of more than 140 nationalities, speaking over 70 different languages. SITA had consolidated revenues of over US$1.47 billion (€1.13 billion) in 2008.
For further information go to www.sita.aeroAbout Middle East Airlines
About Middle East Airlines
(MEA), Lebanon's national carrier, is based at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut. It operates scheduled international services to 28 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, the Gulf and Africa.
Middle East Airlines offers its customers a very luxurious travel experience on its modern fleet equipped with the most advanced specifications in seat comfort and in-flight entertainment.
MEA fleet consists of 13 aircraft: 4 A330's and 6 A321's and 3 A320's . MEA is expecting to receive an additional 3 A320's in 2010-2011.
Middle East Airlines (MEA) fully owns the following subsidiaries:
Middle East Airports Services (MEAS)
Middle East Airlines Ground Handling (MEAG)
Mideast Aircraft Services Company (MASCO)
Further information on Middle East Airlines can be found at: www.mea.com.lb
[1] SITA Baggage Report 2009 see www.sita.aero
For further information (not for publication) contact:
SITA
Denis McClean, Director, Public Relations
Tel: +41-22-747-6824
Mobile: +41-79-2173357
Email: Denis.McClean@sita.aero
The Wordshop
Barbara McCall
Director
Tel : +44 (0)20 7031 8270
Email : bm@theword-shop.com
SITA
Rafif Nsouli
Head of Marketing
Tel: +961 1 637369
Mobile: +961 385 9849
Email: rafif.nsouli@sita.aero
Active PR
Sawsan Ghanem
Tel: +971-4-3900228
Fax: +971-4-3904656
E-mail: sawsan@activepr.biz
© Press Release 2010
