Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air has signed a two-year renewal deal with air transport IT specialist SITA for network, messaging and voice services.

SITA is providing the airline with a comprehensive global network infrastructure, Type B Messaging services, a mail platform for operational messages and global voice and data services, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

"SITA offers the best end-to-end solutions and connects with all the cities that our airline flies to," Gulf Air acting chief executive Maher Salman Al Musallam said.

"At Gulf Air, we are committed to providing our customers with superior service standards and that encompasses a broad range of deliverables extending to our technological capabilities.

"We endeavour to have the best technology in place to ensure we operate as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible," he added.

According to Gulf Air director for information technology Dr Jassim Haji, SITA's support to Gulf Air's information technology function ensures the airline's capabilities not only meet industry standards, but exceed them in capability and efficiency.

SITA Middle East, India and Africa president Hani El Assaad said the firm is helping Gulf Air optimise its network, messaging and voice services.

"This will reduce operational costs and improve service quality and availability," he said.

"It will also enable the airline to communicate with the entire air transport industry quickly and efficiently using the SITA messaging distribution network, the largest and most versatile network in the industry," he added.

SITA's AirportHub infrastructure will enable Gulf Air to access its Virtual Private Network (VPN) and business applications at airports around the world.

Gulf Air will also benefit from SITA's Internet Protocol (IP) VPN service, which provides secure, global IP access connecting its headquarters with offices and outstations around the world.

SITA's Type B Messaging will underpin every aspect of Gulf Air's operations, from commercial and flight operations to ground support, baggage and cargo handling, passenger service and aircraft messaging.

SITA operates the world's largest messaging network, directly connecting more than 2,400 members of the air transport community, and switching more than 25 million messages globally every day.

In addition, Gulf Air will benefit from SITATEX Online, the leading mail platform for operational messages for air transport industry professionals.

Gulf Air is renowned for its pioneering information technology achievements, becoming the first organisation in Bahrain to implement private cloud computing in its IT operations and introducing numerous innovations and improvements in its IT function.

The airline has also adopted several "green" solutions in its information technology infrastructure and practices.

This includes last year's launch of its state-of-the-art, energy efficient data centre at the airline's headquarters - one of the most environmentally friendly IT centres in Bahrain. - TradeArabia News Service