UrbanV and Sita collaborate to deliver digital solutions for Rome's vertiports, exploring opportunities for vertiports globally

The companies will design and test the passenger experience in view of the first flights planned for 2024. ROME, June 13, 2023 — SITA, the leading IT technology provider for the air transport industry, and UrbanV, the Italian vertiport operator, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a digital experience for passengers at UrbanV's vertiports in Rome, which will come into operation in 2024. From UrbanV's test vertiport at Rome Fiumicino Airport, the two parties will design, test, and refine a new operational and passenger management ecosystem to support the first flight between Fiumicino and the center of Rome. SITA will make available its air transport expertise for the emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector, developing new operational standards and a digital-first experience for passengers. The partnership will leverage SITA's portfolio, which includes a wide range of IT solutions for airport management, network connectivity, and passenger, flight, and aircraft operations. SITA and UrbanV will also collaborate closely to test and validate UrbanV's operational concept design in Rome and assess potential commercial synergies globally for a joint go-to-market in the Advanced and Urban Air Mobility segment. UrbanV expects vertiports to be interoperable by multiple eVTOL operators and integrated into the local aviation ecosystem, such as Fiumicino Airport. This is in line with SITA's vision, according to which vertiport systems are natural peering and aggregation points, with shared components and services to facilitate data exchange, offering cost efficiency and economies of scale to all AAM operators. Carlo Tursi, CEO of UrbanV, said: "UrbanV and SITA share an aeronautical background and a thoroughly innovative way of thinking. This will allow us to develop an agnostic, modular, and repeatable approach to designing, building, and operating vertiports globally. Italy will be our launch country, and Rome will be one of the first cities in the world where AAM services will be available. This partnership enables us to offer a unique value proposition to scale globally and to accelerate the adoption of AAM services." Sergio Colella, SITA President for Europe, said: "We firmly believe in the development of the AAM market, getting the right result from the start through vertiports that are integrated mobility hubs. This agreement aims to shape the future travel experience in vertiports globally. Together, we will explore new standards and a digital-first experience for passengers, leveraging our mutual air transport expertise for the AAM sector. This will accelerate the adoption of Advanced Air Mobility in Italy, and beyond, in complete safety." SITA photos are available here: http://www.sita.aero/pressroom/image-gallery and videos and infographics are here: http://www.sita.aero/pressroom