Kazakhstan’s Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport has turned to SITA to deliver new digital solutions to reduce operational costs while supporting improved aircraft turnaround performance. This includes SITA providing all its essential passenger, baggage, and operational IT systems.

A key focus for the airport is to streamline airside operations. Using SITA’s Airport Management solution, the airport can better forecast and manage operations across the airfield. By sharing event milestones with partners such as airlines, the operations teams have an exact view of how various activities across the airport are integrated and can impact the overall operation.

Ground operators can more efficiently and proactively plan their activities, from allocating team assignments to managing aircraft parking stands, gates, and other resources. This will digitalize airport operations, improve on-time performance, and avoid unnecessary flight delays. The airport expects the implementation of SITA Airport Management could result in a reduction in cost of 15-20%, laying the foundation of Airport Collaborative Decision-Making (A-CDM) governance.

As the cornerstone of its passenger service, SITA will provide new Smart Path check-in kiosks and bag drop units, giving passengers seamless, self-service options from curb to gate. These touchpoints pave the way toward a future biometric journey in line with IATA’s One ID program. In the future, this contactless experience means that passengers’ faces will become their boarding passes, with passengers swiftly identified as they step up to a camera at each touchpoint.

Daulet Hamzin, Chairman of the Management Board, Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, said: “Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport is accelerating a major development program to support the growth potential of Kazakhstan’s air transport market. We have announced that 2023 will be focused on the airport’s digitalization. We truly believe technology is a key enabler in meeting this rapid growth, streamlining airside operations, and offering our customers a better experience. We are very pleased to partner with SITA to pioneer several regional digital initiatives.”

Sergio Colella, SITA President for Europe, said: “Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport is leading the way in digitalizing its operations, positioning itself as one of the region’s leading airports. We are pleased to partner with the airport and deliver the full benefits of automation and digitalization.”