Lufthansa Industry Solutions (LHIND) has been commissioned by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to explore how quantum computing can optimize strategic and tactical planning processes in aviation. Funded by the DLR Quantum Computing Initiative (QCI), the two-year project will focus on improving flight planning, crew scheduling, and route optimization using quantum algorithms.
The initiative, part of the QCI QCMobility project, includes two sub-projects: Strategic Planning Processes and Tactical Planning Processes. LHIND is collaborating with the DLR Institute of Air Transport, the DLR Institute of Quantum Technologies, and Kipu Quantum, a startup specializing in application- and hardware-specific quantum computing solutions. The project leverages data from Eurowings and Lufthansa to develop and test quantum algorithms. These algorithms will be compared against conventional methods to evaluate their potential for solving complex aviation challenges, such as last-minute route changes or crew reassignments.
Dr. Joseph Doetsch, Quantum Computing Lead at LHIND, emphasized the significance of the project: “Efficient resource use is critical for airlines, and quantum computing could revolutionize both long-term planning and day-to-day operations.”
The project builds on LHIND’s ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between quantum research and practical applications, including a collaboration with the University of Hamburg to optimize airport handling processes.
For more information, visit Lufthansa Industry Solutions’s press release here.
January 23, 2025
