Air transport industry invests USD 50.8 bn in IT; data coordination gap stalls AI, digital progress: SITA
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As per the report airlines invested USD 36 bn, while airports invested USD 14.8 bn in IT, in 2025, with 79% of the industry prioritising generative AI & large language models.
SITA’s 2025 Air Transport IT Insights report finds that, while the air transport industry invested a record USD 50.8 billion in technology in 2025, a common obstacle keeps emerging: where data does not flow freely between systems and partners, that investment cannot fully deliver what it was designed to unlock. The cost of this data coordination gap is higher than ever now that the conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt the industry at a global scale. Operators investing in closing that gap are building foundations that will outlast the current disruption.
“Across every area we measured, the same constraint emerges: where data does not flow freely across systems and partners, investment cannot fully deliver what it was designed to unlock. That constraint carries a higher cost today, but also a clear opportunity to emerge stronger,” said David Lavorel, CEO of SITA.
Airlines and airports are increasing their investment in IT. In 2025, airlines committed USD36 billion, or 3.6% of revenue, while airports raised their spending to USD14.8 billion, representing 7.3% of revenue, up from 6.4% the previous year. The reason is consistent across both: 83% of airlines and 89% of airports say data-driven decision-making is a strategic priority, a clear signal that the industry is actively building the operational foundations it believes resilience depends on.
With IATA estimating flight delays cost the industry USD 30 billion, the need to improve disruption prediction and response is critical. Currently, 49% of airlines identify data integration and consistency as the primary barrier to achieving a shared, real-time operational picture needed for early intervention.
While ambition for Artificial Intelligence is high, 79% name generative AI and large language models as their top investment priority for the next 12 months, data alignment is the main roadblock.
Early AI focused on single systems, but the shift is toward coordination. Sixty-three percent of airlines now use AI in operations control to manage disruption, aircraft assignment, and crew availability simultaneously. However, AI is used least where decisions require consistent data from multiple partners, such as real-time turnaround monitoring (only 17% of airlines). Airports are starting to close this gap (53% apply AI to aircraft turnaround, up from 36% in 2024).
“Aviation is deploying AI with real ambition. But the survey is clear: the primary barrier to maximizing that investment is the lack of data integration across the operation. The technology is there. The data infrastructure to connect it often is not.,” added Lavorel.
The report found the data coordination gap limiting progress across all key strategic areas for the trade, including Cybersecurity, as systems become more interconnected, a cyber incident now risks the accuracy and availability of shared operational data. 71% of airports rank cybersecurity as their top IT focus area, driving infrastructure upgrades. 68% name it as the primary driver of infrastructure upgrades. The industry is responding: 64% of airports are already applying AI in cybersecurity to detect anomalies earlier and reduce response times, up from 51% in 2024.
The move toward airline and airport-issued digital identity credentials is accelerating. 64% of airlines plan to issue their own, up from 32% in 2024 and biometric border control, already live at 54% of airports, is expected to reach 83% by 2028. The crucial requirement for scaling this is coordination: 57% of airlines cite airport cooperation as the primary requirement for success, up from 40% the previous year.
Progress is most advanced where operators control the data directly, 83% of airlines are implementing fleet renewal programs, 67% are sourcing Sustainable Aviation Fuel in selected locations and 75% of airports use building management systems to monitor terminal energy. However, capabilities that require consistent data sharing across airlines, ground handlers, and infrastructure—like total emissions tracking—remain below 20% adoption.
The consistent pattern is undeniable: progress is most advanced where data is coordinated across systems and partners.
“Across AI, cybersecurity, digital identities and sustainability, operators name the same constraint: data that does not flow freely across systems and partners. It is consistent across every area we measured. Data coordination is not a future priority. It is what is limiting outcomes today.” concluded Lavorel.
