DUBAI/BEIRUT - 21 April 2013 - Passengers at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) are enjoying faster check-in and boarding and on-time departures with the arrival of new systems from SITA, the leading air transport IT provider.  Lebanese Air Transport Co (LAT), which manages departure control services for 15 airlines that use the airport, has switched to SITA's Departure Control Services (DCS). More than 120 airlines and ground handlers globally use this world-class system.

As part of the five-year agreement, SITA is providing full network connectivity and local support at the airport. In addition, LAT is one of the first ground handlers to benefit from SITA's next generation weight and balance system, which ensures that planes are loaded and dispatched safely and effectively using the latest graphical user interfaces.

Ibrahim Chehab, General Manager, Lebanese Air Transport Co., said:  "Beirut Airport is experiencing growth, and the need to update our systems was clear. SITA is the ideal partner for us because it provides sophisticated departure control services combined with network connectivity and onsite support.

"Already we are seeing an improvement in our passenger processing, with fully automated boarding and secure check-in services. Our airline customers are used to working with SITA at other airports around the world and enjoy the improvements we have made to the DCS in Beirut. We look forward to welcoming new airlines here."

Hani El-Assaad, President, Middle East, India & Africa, SITA said: "Reducing ground-handling costs while ensuring safety, security and efficiency are constant challenges at airports. And upgrading systems while continuing to service airlines can be very challenging. In Beirut, LAT's move to SITA Departure Control Services and Weight and Balance has gone very smoothly.  LAT can now focus on attracting new airline customers with the confidence that they offer the best departure control services in a cost-effective way."

In 2012, Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport handled more than 5.9 million passengers. It is growing at a rate of 8% annually.

-Ends-

SITA photos and videos available here: www.sita.aero/content/sita-logos-and-image-library

About SITA
SITA is the world's leading specialist in air transport communications 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 2,000 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 over 450 air transport industry members and 2,800 customers in over 200 countries and territories. 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 US$1.517 billion (€1.09 billion) in 2011.

For further information go to www.sita.aero

© Press Release 2013