CAE Sells Airline Operations Software Business to SITA

SITA has agreed to acquire Flightscape, CAE Inc.’s airline operations software business. Flightscape’s solutions help airlines plan flights, manage crews, control operations, coordinate ground activities and deliver in-flight services, and its software is used daily by more than 90 airlines.

“Airlines need to make the best possible use of their aircraft, crews and infrastructure while responding to increasingly complex operational challenges,” said David Lavorel, Chief Executive Officer, SITA. “With Flightscape, we will bring together our respective complementary capabilities to strengthen what we offer airlines and connect their operational decisions with insight from across the aviation ecosystem. That will help our customers anticipate disruption, recover more effectively and run more resilient operations.”

SITA, which is owned by the air transport community, connects aviation industry partners through the information they share every day. Flightscape will add the systems where airlines make operational decisions to SITA’s existing products. Work to connect them will start only after the transaction is complete.

SITA acquired Safety Line, whose technology helps airlines fly more fuel-efficiently, in 2021, and Big Blue Analytics, whose AI helps airlines build recovery plans, earlier this year. It will bring both together with Flightscape’s systems in stages.

“I believe SITA is a natural home for Flightscape and an excellent strategic fit for the business,” said Carter Copeland, President, Flightscape. “This transaction positions Flightscape within an organization deeply connected to the global air transport industry.  I am excited about what this combination will mean for Flightscape, its customers and its future.”

Flightscape customers will keep their current service and support, and solutions will stay modular and open. The acquisition is expected to close in H1 2027, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.