Vueling explores quantum computing opportunities for airline operations

Carrier's partnered with Oxford Quantum Circuits

Vueling partners with Oxford Quantum Circuits to explore quantum computing for airline operations

Through the agreement, carried out in collaboration with Lighthouse, the airline is exploring solutions to optimise route planning, aircraft maintenance, and the allocation of aircraft and crews.

Low-cost Spanish carrier, Vueling, part of the IAG group, has announced it will explore how quantum computing could help improve efficiency of airline operations.

The airline has partnered with Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC), a specialist firm in design, production, and operation of quantum computers, as part of this new step of innovation.

Quantum computing can solve complex operational problems a lot quicker than classic computational power, reducing processing times as it uses qubits (quantum bits) - rather than bits which classical computers use - and these can either be 0, 1 or both at the same time. 

It's due to this Quantum Superposition capability that allows it to explore multiple outcomes and solutions at once, up to eight at once instead of the one an ordinary computer would find.

Vueling, currently in an "exploratory" phase, is assessing how quantum computing could be applied across different areas of the company and working towards developing a practical use case in the medium term. 

The work is said to focus on identifying potential solutions to optimise route planning processes, aircraft maintenance, and the allocation of aircraft and crews.

There are very few physical quantum computers in the world but as part of the project, Vueling will work with one of them, the Toshiko quantum computer, located in Japan. 

It will enable the airline to run its own code and test how quantum-based approaches could be applied to day-to-day operational challenges.

Beyond the testing phase, this initiative is also helping to build internal expertise in quantum technologies within Vueling and to define a longer-term roadmap for the potential implementation of these systems – an area the airline has been exploring for several years.