SITA has released the “2024 North American Air Transport IT Insights” report, developed in collaboration with Airlines for America (A4A). The findings, based on input from carriers representing more than 60% of North American passenger traffic, reveal that cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) dominate the IT investment agenda for North American carriers. This investment level outpaces global trends and signals a new era of digital transformation for the region’s aviation sector.
According to the report, 77% of North American airlines ranked cybersecurity among their top three IT priorities for 2025, with nearly half (45%) citing it as their single top focus. AI also stands out, with nearly half (45%) naming it their number one priority, which is a level of commitment to AI innovation significantly higher than seen globally.
“The 2024 North American IT Insights report clearly shows that airlines are not just responding to current operational challenges but are actively investing in the technologies that will scale to support seamless air travel,” said Shawn Gregor, president of the Americas at SITA. “From cybersecurity defenses to AI-driven operational efficiencies, North American airlines are setting the pace for industry-wide transformation ahead of forecasted rapid growth in passenger volume.”
Key Highlights from the Report Include:
- Cybersecurity and AI Lead IT Resource Allocation: Investment is heavily concentrated in cybersecurity initiatives, with 100% of surveyed airlines implementing advanced measures such as Privileged Account Management, SSO authentication, and DDoS protection. AI applications are similarly widespread, particularly in cybersecurity, operational scaling, and predictive disruption management.
- Accelerated Data and AI Maturity: 72% of North American airlines already train AI models with collected data — more than double the global average (28%). Additionally, 9% have integrated large language models (LLMs) into their operations, versus just 2% globally.
- Emerging Technologies Gaining Traction: Beyond AI, airlines are investing in technologies like business intelligence (BI) software (70%), computer vision (45%), and private 5G networks (38%).
- Strategic Use of Innovation Partners: Over 80% of airlines reported collaboration with external partners in AI development, far outpacing global averages.
- Heightened Cybersecurity Challenges: Ensuring the security of third-party vendors emerged as the top cybersecurity challenge, with 100% of respondents flagging it as a critical concern.
The research underscores the region’s leadership in leveraging technology for strategic advantage, not just operational efficiency. While enhancing security remains paramount, airlines are also positioning themselves to drive future innovations in data analytics, AI, and passenger experience.
Additional areas of investment include biometric technologies and sustainability initiatives. More than half of North American airlines have implemented biometric-enabled passenger processes to enhance identity management and streamline travel, significantly outpacing global adoption rates. At the same time, airlines are leading in environmental responsibility, with over 80% implementing measures such as sourcing sustainable aviation fuel, retrofitting existing fleets, and investing in electric or hydrogen-powered aircraft to support industry carbon reduction goals.