Optimizing Aircraft Utilization with Quantum Computing

Webinar

Optimizing Aircraft Utilization with Quantum Computing

September 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM

Add to calendar 2025-09-18 11:00:00 0001-01-01 00:00:00 America/Los_Angeles Optimizing Aircraft Utilization with Quantum Computing Assigning aircraft to an airline’s flight schedule is a complex optimization process. There are many constraints in this process—including time windows that must be met at different airports, airplane maintenance schedules, and much more. At Vueling, a low-cost Spanish carrier, this is currently a slow and manual process, and is subject to scheduling errors and other issues. Recently, Lighthouse DIG, a technology services firm, explored the use of D-Wave technology to automate this process. The initial goals were to modify the original network so that aircraft utilization is maximized and flight rescheduling is minimized. The result of this work was validation that D-Wave’s hybrid quantum computing is already capable of addressing real-world optimization problems in the aviation sector. Further work is now ongoing to extend the scope of the project. At this webinar, Parfait Atchadé, Chief Quantum Innovation Officer (CQIO) at Lighthouse DIG and a Research Affiliate at the MIT Media Lab, will discuss this project and the results. https://www.dwavequantum.com/events-section/events/optimizing-aircraft-utilization-with-quantum-computing/ Eviva

Assigning aircraft to an airline’s flight schedule is a complex optimization process. There are many constraints in this process—including time windows that must be met at different airports, airplane maintenance schedules, and much more.

At Vueling, a low-cost Spanish carrier, this is currently a slow and manual process, and is subject to scheduling errors and other issues. Recently, Lighthouse DIG, a technology services firm, explored the use of D-Wave technology to automate this process. The initial goals were to modify the original network so that aircraft utilization is maximized and flight rescheduling is minimized.

The result of this work was validation that D-Wave’s hybrid quantum computing is already capable of addressing real-world optimization problems in the aviation sector. Further work is now ongoing to extend the scope of the project. At this webinar, Parfait Atchadé, Chief Quantum Innovation Officer (CQIO) at Lighthouse DIG and a Research Affiliate at the MIT Media Lab, will discuss this project and the results.