SITA has appointed a new head of its borders business to work with global agencies to drive the continued digitisation of border management.

The aviation technology specialist says with demand from travellers surging, the sector is also facing increased cyber and security threats alongside rising customer expectations.

Pedro Alves will take on the role of senior vice president of SITA’s Borders business, succeeding Jeremy Springall, who spent almost a decade in the position.

SITA said Alves brings “extensive experience from CGI, Vision-Box, and IDEMIA, where he helped pioneer border and identity technologies that have shaped how people move across borders”.

Since joining SITA in early 2024 to lead global business development, Alves has worked closely with governments to drive modern border solutions that are secure, scalable, and people-centric.

David Lavorel, SITA chief executive, said: “Pedro takes the reins at a time when the needs of border agencies are evolving fast.

“With growing global mobility and the increasing complexity of threats, governments are turning to smarter technologies to keep borders secure while unlocking frictionless travel.

“At the same time, advances in digital identity present an exciting opportunity to completely reimagine the way people cross borders.

“Pedro’s deep expertise and forward-looking vision make him the ideal leader to carry SITA Borders into this next phase, building on the strong foundation Jeremy has laid.”

SITA said as global pressures from terrorism, human trafficking, and emerging health threats grew, Springall “shaped SITA Borders into the trusted partner of choice to over 70 governments”.

In 2024, he led the team to the biggest deal in the company’s history – a milestone that reflects his legacy of innovation, leadership and strategic growth.

Alves said: “Jeremy has been a mentor and a visionary, and I’m looking forward to carrying forward the legacy he has built.

“We are at a tipping point where border control must be dynamic, integrated and seamless. Governments need to be agile in the face of fast-changing demands, and SITA is uniquely positioned to support them with proven solutions, trusted partnerships, and a strong focus on customer co-innovation.”

Lavorel added: “Jeremy’s impact has been nothing short of transformational. From delivering critical projects to shaping long-term strategy, he’s been instrumental in SITA’s growth and influence in the border space. We thank him for his extraordinary contributions and wish him every success in this next chapter.”