Air India today awarded a USD 190 million deal to a Geneva-based aviation technology firm for a sophisticated passenger service system (PSS) to be provided on a turnkey basis.

Announcing the deal, an Air India spokesman said SITA's (Societe Internationale de Telecommunications Aeronautiques) PSS platform would be used to deliver a single airline code to allow seamless integration of the former Indian Airlines and Air India for the first time since they merged in August 2007.

It would also enable Air India to meet the requirements for joining the premier global airline grouping, Star Alliance.

SITA, which won the award through a global tendering process, provides hosted PSS services to 140 global airlines, which together fly an estimated 120 million passengers annually.

In addition to the PSS, SITA will also implement an online booking engine, departure control system, check-in and automated boarding control, baggage reconciliation system and a frequent flyer programme, the spokesman said.

Maintaining the PSS would enable Air India to meet the Star Alliance standards, CMD Arvind Jadhav said the national carrier would then be able to leverage the synergies of a single new carrier to the maximum... leading to a more competitive, customer friendly and world class airline with significant improvement in its passenger yields.

SITA, CEO, Francesco Violante said the firm has been providing Air India with mission-critical services for more than 50 years and it was happy to become the airline's technology partner.