On 23 February 1999 in Brussel’s historic medieval Hotel de Ville ( Town Hall) as part of the Year-round celebrations marking SITA’s 50th anniversary , a special event was held to commemorate the foundation of SITA
Representativesfrom the 7 original founding Airlines, together with Brussels and Belgian officials and former SITA and Airline staff, who had played key roles in the life of SITA, were invited to attend the occasion. The Mayor of Brussels received a crystal globe as a SITA gift to the town of Brussels.
Specially honored guests included Jacqueline Lacat, SITA’s first Secretary General and Marguerite Monniot, representing SITA’s first Director General Georges Monniot (1949-1976).
Other attendees included Ricardo Lippi Chairman of SITA’s Board of Directors, Claude Lalanne, former Director General (1976-1996), Didier Delepine , President Equant and Jean-Pierre Gaudard, Managing Director SITA EQUANT.
Former Board Chairmen included Heinz Buechi , Swissair; Pier Paolo Davoli, Alitalia; Marc Denis , Air France; As’ad Khourshid, Middle East Airlines; and Norman Stoddart , Air Canada.
“It was a happy event” , said Solly Dwek who heads the SITA 50 Programme , “and to echo John Watson, it is clear that everyone
had a wonderfull time on this memorable occasion and that it was particularly appreciated by all those whose memories go back to the early days of SITA”