RuAviation

Between 2023 and 2025, Russian airlines transitioned to domestic IT solutions for ticket booking. The Leonardo platform, developed by RT-Project Technologies and Sirena-Travel, has become the primary tool for digitalizing passenger services, according to Rostec.

Over the past two and a half years, the system has processed 260 million passengers. In just six months—from December 2024 to May 2025—it handled 48 million bookings. Projections for 2025 indicate at least 100 million passengers, placing Leonardo on par with the world’s largest Passenger Service System (PSS) platforms^[1].

Airlines have reduced commission expenses by 15–20% by eliminating foreign intermediaries and optimizing internal processes. Prior to 2022, Russian carriers paid international providers 2.5–3% of each ticket’s value. The switch to Leonardo has cut these costs, freeing up significant resources for route network expansion and operational efficiency. Under sanctions and limited access to Western technologies, these savings are critical for the financial stability of Russian carriers.

Leonardo’s technical architecture supports two operating models: a service model and a system operator model with data stored on proprietary servers. This approach minimizes risks of data loss or service disruption due to external restrictions.

In the past two years, more than 800 new features have been integrated, enabling airlines to quickly adapt to evolving market requirements. Certification to PCI DSS Level 1^[2]—the highest standard for payment card data security—confirms the platform’s compliance with stringent payment processing requirements.

Currently, over 60 airlines—including major Russian carriers Aeroflot, S7 Airlines, and Ural Airlines—have integrated Leonardo into their business processes. The system provides real-time data processing, flexible revenue management, and compliance with national regulatory requirements. According to Aeroflot representatives, the platform has reduced booking processing time by 30% and improved customer satisfaction.

The international forum “Digital Transportation 2025,” held on October 1 in Moscow, served as a venue for discussing further platform development. Participants noted that localizing critical services not only reduces dependence on external providers but also helps create a unified digital environment for Russian carriers. Leonardo demonstrates that localization of essential services can deliver substantial economic and operational benefits on a national scale.

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[1] What is a PSS Platform?

A Passenger Service System (PSS) is a comprehensive IT solution for managing airline passenger services. It includes modules for ticket booking, passenger check-in, schedule management, payment processing, and agency interaction. PSS automates all stages of passenger service—from ticket purchase to boarding. In today’s environment, a PSS platform is a vital component of an airline’s digital infrastructure, impacting operational efficiency, service quality, and financial performance.

 

[2] What is PCI DSS Level 1?

PCI DSS Level 1 is the highest certification for payment card data security, established by major payment systems (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB) to protect cardholder data and prevent fraud. Level 1 requires annual independent security audits, processing over 6 million transactions per year, and compliance with strict information protection standards: data encryption, access control, transaction monitoring, and regular vulnerability testing. For airlines and IT platforms, this guarantees maximum security for all payment operations and builds trust with customers and partners.