Kaohsiung International Airport Partners with SITA to Drive Revolutionary Operational Efficiency and Deliver Exceptional Passenger Experiences Amid Explosive Air Travel Surge

Published on October 16, 2025

With air transport in Asia booming at a record pace, airports such as Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) must enhance their operations and raise the bar on passenger experience. To that end, Kaohsiung International has signed a ground-breaking seven-year deal with SITA, a world-leading technology provider to the air transport industry. This partnership will transform the operational effectiveness of the airport through state-of-the-art passenger processing systems that will facilitate streamlined check-ins, improve boarding efficiency, and improve security. In the midst of the boom in air travel demand, the collaboration will keep Kaohsiung International Airport ahead of the curve with enhanced and smooth experience for all passengers.

Kaohsiung International Airport is a critical transportation gateway that links Taiwan with many international locations. As demand for air transport increases both at home and abroad, airports must balance high levels of operational efficiency with a smooth experience for passengers. The collaboration between SITA and KHH will look to counteract this difficulty through the integration of best-in-class technologies intended to increase operational effectiveness and enhance the passenger experience.

A Comprehensive Passenger Processing Solution

The seven-year agreement between SITA and Kaohsiung International Airport includes the implementation of a range of innovative solutions to modernize the airport’s passenger handling systems. One of the core components of this initiative is the deployment of Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE), which allows multiple airlines to share check-in infrastructure at the airport. This not only maximizes the use of available space but also reduces costs for individual airlines while enhancing the overall efficiency of the check-in process.

CUTE enables airlines to use the same check-in desks and facilities, meaning passengers from different airlines can be processed at the same counter. This system optimizes airport resources and ensures a smooth flow of passengers, especially during peak travel times. With airlines sharing infrastructure, the airport can accommodate higher volumes of passengers while minimizing wait times and congestion at check-in counters.

In addition to CUTE, Kaohsiung International Airport is set to deploy Common Use Self-Service (CUSS) kiosks. These kiosks will offer passengers the ability to check in independently, print their boarding passes, and even print baggage tags quickly and easily. The CUSS system empowers travelers with greater control over their journey, reducing the need to stand in long queues and providing more flexibility in terms of timing.

Self-service kiosks have become a popular choice for passengers who prefer a faster, more convenient check-in experience. The introduction of CUSS kiosks at Kaohsiung Airport will help minimize congestion at check-in areas, allowing travelers to move through the airport more efficiently and with less stress. This is particularly important during busy travel periods when large volumes of passengers need to be processed in a short amount of time.

“Across Asia, passenger numbers are climbing fast, and airports are under pressure to deliver efficient operations without compromising the travel experience,” said Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific at SITA. “Legacy systems simply cannot keep pace with this demand. By adopting next-generation passenger processing, Kaohsiung is setting a benchmark for how airports can combine speed, resilience, and flexibility. This is part of a broader regional shift, where airports are embracing scalable, future-ready tools that reduce cost and complexity while keeping passengers moving seamlessly.”

Enhancing Operational Stability with Local Departure Control Systems

One of the most crucial aspects of this partnership is the implementation of the Local Departure Control System (LDCS). The LDCS acts as a local backup system that ensures flights continue to depart smoothly, even if the main Departure Control System (DCS) goes offline. This backup system is essential for ensuring operational stability and minimizing disruptions during critical moments, such as when there are connectivity issues or system failures.

Airports and airlines rely heavily on their DCS to manage a variety of functions, including flight scheduling, baggage handling, and passenger boarding. Any disruption to this system can cause significant delays, passenger inconvenience, and even operational chaos. The introduction of LDCS at Kaohsiung International Airport offers a safeguard that allows boarding to continue uninterrupted in the event of a DCS failure, ensuring that flights depart on time and passengers are not left stranded.

The addition of LDCS is particularly important in the context of Asia’s rapidly growing air traffic. With more flights operating through airports like KHH, the risk of system disruptions increases. By incorporating a local backup system, Kaohsiung International Airport can continue to operate smoothly and efficiently even under the most challenging circumstances, ultimately enhancing the overall passenger experience.

“Our focus is on improving operations across all touchpoints while preparing our airport for future growth,” said Guojie Chen, Kaohsiung International Airport Airlines Operation Committee (AOC), CTO. “By expanding our shared systems with SITA, we improve efficiency, reduce congestion and enhance resilience across check-in and boarding. We look forward to continuing this partnership as we respond to rising travel demand and innovate our services.”

Strengthening Resilience and Security

The integration of these advanced passenger processing systems is designed not only to enhance efficiency but also to improve the overall security of the airport. By modernizing check-in procedures and implementing more sophisticated backup systems, Kaohsiung International Airport can strengthen its resilience against operational challenges while providing a more secure environment for both passengers and staff.

This partnership also highlights a broader trend in the aviation industry, where airports are increasingly turning to innovative technology to address the challenges of growing passenger volumes and heightened security concerns. SITA’s technology solutions are being deployed at a growing number of airports worldwide, and this agreement with Kaohsiung International Airport is a significant win for the company in the Asia-Pacific region. It will also increase the number of global sites using SITA’s Airport Management Solution (AMS) to 165, showcasing the growing demand for these advanced technologies.

A Vision for the Future of Air Travel

The partnership between Kaohsiung International Airport and SITA reflects the broader vision for the future of air travel, where technology plays a central role in improving operational efficiency, passenger experience, and security. With air traffic expected to continue its upward trajectory in Asia, the introduction of these next-generation systems at Kaohsiung International Airport sets a new standard for airports seeking to modernize their operations and meet the demands of modern travelers.

Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) has joined forces with SITA in a groundbreaking seven-year deal to make operations more efficient and improve passenger experiences. This partnership will deploy leading-edge technology to automate check-ins, make boarding easier, and enhance security, keeping the airport at the forefront of Asia’s booming air travel explosion.

The integration of advanced technologies, including CUTE, CUSS, and LDCS, not only makes air travel more efficient but also ensures that airports can continue to operate smoothly and securely, even as passenger numbers rise. By embracing innovation and forming strategic partnerships with technology leaders like SITA, airports like Kaohsiung are setting themselves up for long-term success in an increasingly competitive and fast-paced global aviation industry.

As air travel continues to boom in Asia, Kaohsiung International Airport’s aggressive move toward embracing new technologies will be a model for other airports in the region to follow, allowing them to accommodate increasing passenger traffic while offering easy and hassle-free travel experiences. This aggressive collaboration is a testament to the airport’s determination to remain an essential gateway in Taiwan’s transportation network and enhance its position in the international aviation ecosystem.