I want to be optimistic about the new year, but we are still looking at everything from behind foggy windows. The future is blurry; however, we have hope for positive things in 2021. We have faced many difficulties, and maybe the word "challenge" has not been so meaningful since the word was invented. In talking about words, the Oxford English Dictionary announced its words for 2020, and as is customary one new word is selected as the word of the year. However, 2020 is not a year that could neatly be accommodated in one single "word of the year," so the Oxford team has expanded its word of the year to encompass several "Words of an Unprecedented Year." Some of these words are Covid-19, WFH, lockdown, circuit-breaker, support bubbles, furlough, mask up, anti-mask, and anti-masker.
Thinking outside the box
In the aviation industry, we can see the same situation here too: travel restrictions, quarantine measures, closing the borders, repatriation flights, empty middle seat. All these have been buzzwords of 2020 in the aviation eco-system. From the beginning of this pandemic, we have never given up believing in the power of solidarity and unconditional support. We have focused our attention on the positives and chosen out-of-the-box thinking to guide our way, and at the end of the year, I can summarize Hitit’s words and phrases for 2020 are: seamless dialogue, full transparency, 24/7 technical and moral support, sympathy, and understanding.
Unconditional support matters
The relationship between airlines and their technology providers is special, unique, and sensitive, as a PSS system is at the heart of the operation and provides the lifeblood of an airline. At this time, I can confidently and proudly state that Hitit literally has been able to be at the heart of its partners both technically and practically. We have embraced each other, bound up our wounds together, and provided unconditional support. With its technology creators, project managers, account managers, business analysts, accounting department, sales professionals, and executive team; Hitit has put its heart and soul into managing these unprecedented days.
When opportunity knocks
Despite these catastrophic conditions, I look behind us and like what I see: our huge family has continued to grow during the Covid-19 period, with new airline partners joining us. The proudest part of this enhancement is how Hitit has stepped up and taken action seamlessly in new countries, regions, and even continents. Hitit consists of many aviation addicts who are open-minded and quickly adapt to not only new technologies but also new cultures and environments. These are the pillars of Hitit’s agility and has made it possible to complete many projects in record-breaking time under immense pressure. So, on the eve of 2021, Hitit is the proud provider to a great community of 40 airline partners from 30 countries.
New logistical challenge: Vaccine delivery
Even though the entire world is facing one of the most devastating experiences, some business lines have seen rapid surges in demand, such as air cargo. The air cargo's key role started with delivering essential equipment and medicines, at the beginning of the pandemic and now continues with the vaccine. The invention of the vaccine and its mass production without doubt will be considered as one of the most vital developments in the first quarter of the 21st century, and its widespread distribution is certainly a turning point to exit from this nightmare. Given the various temperature-sensitive features of different kinds of vaccines, the cold chain's importance is surging in the supply chain now. Airlines must have the relevant IT software to monitor every second of the transportation while they carry it, and this is exactly where Hitit enters the game and can offer valuable solutions. We are always ready to support airlines that are eager to step up to the challenge.
Well-deserved praise for frontline workers
I would like to end by expressing my sincere gratitude to all the frontline workers in every industry and, in particular to the courageous health workers. We’ve experienced a lot, suffered heavy losses, but our hope is everything and we should keep this alive.
Maybe the industry’s deficits will be slow in recovering, but we will grow faster than in the past. I wish you all a new year full of hope and new beginnings.
A happy and healthy new year from the Hitit family to your family...