GENEVA – SITA has acquired Big Blue Analytics, the developer of OCC Assistant Manager (OCCam), an AI-enabled disruption optimisation platform designed to help airlines manage operational disruptions more effectively. The acquisition forms part of SITA’s broader vision for an Intelligent Operations Control Center and will make the technology available to airlines globally.

Addressing a major operational challenge

Airline disruption remains one of the industry’s most significant operational and financial challenges, with delays and irregular operations affecting aircraft, crew, passengers and maintenance activities simultaneously.

According to SITA, OCCam has been refined through years of use in live airline operations and is capable of evaluating multiple operational constraints at the same time to generate integrated recovery plans within minutes. Airlines currently using the platform have reported reductions in disruption-related costs of up to 30%.

Unlike traditional systems that address operational issues sequentially, the platform evaluates aircraft allocation, crew legality, passenger itineraries and maintenance requirements together, producing ranked recovery options that consider cost, passenger impact, operational performance and compliance requirements.

Building on existing operational tools

SITA already supports more than 100 airline Operations Control Centres through solutions such as Mission Watch and has previously expanded the deployment of AI-enabled operational products through initiatives including OptiFlight.

The company said the acquisition strengthens its ability to develop advanced operational management tools by combining optimisation technology with emerging AI capabilities, including large language models and agent-based systems.

Towards an intelligent operations environment

David Lavorel, Chief Executive Officer of SITA, said airlines are operating in an increasingly volatile environment where rapid recovery from disruptions is becoming an important competitive factor.

Yann Cabaret, Chief Executive Officer of SITA for Aircraft, described the acquisition as an initial step towards a broader vision where planning, monitoring and operational recovery are integrated within a single system.

Pau Collellmir, founder of Big Blue Analytics, said the partnership with SITA would enable the technology to reach a wider airline customer base and accelerate the adoption of advanced optimisation tools across the industry.

Supporting future airline operations

SITA stated that the optimisation engine developed by Big Blue Analytics will serve as the foundation for future systems capable of predicting disruptions earlier, automating routine recovery actions and simplifying operational decision-making through more intuitive interfaces.

The company believes these capabilities will help airlines improve operational resilience while providing measurable insights into recovery performance and associated cost savings.