SITA has launched a new cloud-based platform designed to replace legacy messaging systems used by air traffic control authorities worldwide, offering a more secure, scalable, and cost-effective solution for cross-border aviation communication.
The platform, SITA ATC Bridge, operates as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) system, enabling air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and civil aviation authorities to exchange critical messages via the ICAO ATS Messaging Handling System (AMHS) without relying on expensive and rigid legacy infrastructure.
Martin Smillie, Senior Vice President of Communications and Data Exchange at SITA, said the platform addresses industry pressure to manage growing air traffic with limited budgets. “Legacy communication systems are expensive, complex, and difficult to maintain,” he noted. “ATC Bridge provides the flexibility and resilience needed for modern air traffic management.”
The solution eliminates the need for physical hardware and reduces the total cost of ownership through a subscription-based model. It also supports remote access and real-time collaboration among aviation stakeholders, featuring built-in security measures such as encryption, access controls, and compliance with international aviation standards.
SITA, which handles nearly half of the global air transport industry’s data exchange, developed ATC Bridge to help both mature and emerging aviation markets improve operational efficiency and keep pace with digital transformation.
