CleanTech Hub and SWISS pioneer holistic data-driven optimization of operations for Lufthansa Group

The operational environment’s complexity has only increased over the past years. In 2019, we experienced an aviation infrastructure at its limits at airports and in the air (Air Traffic Control-ATC). Unpredictable weather and labor disruptions are occurring more often. Demand volatility is increasing and travel restrictions are constantly changing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, various standalone systems support decision-making by providing fractional data, only allowing for a partial optimization of any operational challenge. To ensure smooth operations, planning and steering experts at each airline must make the right decisions, at the right time, for the right flight.

Each (sub-)module will have a certain stand-alone functionality but also integrates with other modules. Various use cases improve fuel efficiency by assigning the optimal aircraft to every flight or by optimizing flight speed. As the central optimization engine, the "Grand Solver" brings together all modules and combines their functionality into a holistic optimization.

To reach this ambitious goal Lufthansa Group is strategically partnering with Google – known for its innovation drive and processing of large amounts of data. Lufthansa Group colleagues are working hand in hand with experts from Google to deliver the OPSD – step by step, sprint by sprint, in an agile development framework. Phase 1 of the project focuses on delivering first OPSD features at SWISS. Development will however already involve colleagues from various departments across the Lufthansa Group and consider the goal to roll-out OPSD for other Lufthansa Group airlines as well.