SITA opens 1st Middle East command centre in Cairo amid Egypt’s tech pivot

Global aviation tech provider SITA officially launched on Tuesday its first regional command centre for the Middle East and Africa in Cairo, a major step in Egypt’s drive to become a hub for digital transformation in air transport.

The move aligns with the country’s national strategy to attract tech investment and expand its role in smart infrastructure across key sectors. The centre began operating in September 2024. Today’s official inauguration was in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny and SITA’s President for the Middle East and Africa (MEA), Selim Bouri.

“The centre reflects growing confidence in Egypt’s investment climate and strengthens our ambition to become a regional leader in aviation technology,” Minister El-Hefny said during the launch.

The Cairo centre will manage advanced IT systems for airports, airlines, and border control agencies across the region. It features platforms such as SITA Connect Go for flexible connectivity and Community DCS, designed to streamline airline departure processes.

El Bouri said Cairo was chosen for its strategic location, skilled talent pool, and supportive investment climate. “This is not just a milestone in our long-standing relationship with Egypt — it’s an investment in the future of digital aviation across the region,” he said.

The launch builds on SITA’s historic ties with Egypt, which date back to 1954. The company is also working with Egyptian universities to train the next generation of tech talent, and it plans to deepen collaboration with EgyptAir and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Egypt has made digital transformation and smart infrastructure a national priority, offering incentives to global firms and investing in aviation modernization as it seeks to position itself as a key link between Africa, Europe, and Asia.

SITA operates in over 200 countries and supports more than 2,500 clients in the air transport sector, including 70 governments. The new Cairo facility is expected to play a central role in delivering digital services and real-time operational support to customers across the Middle East and Africa.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English