Insider Brief:
- Quantum-South has found a solution to improve cargo loading plans by using a hybrid approach with quantum annealers to optimize cargo in the bellyhold of passenger aircraft.
- The business has used hybrid techniques including quantum annealers from D-Wave through Amazon Braket.
- Dr. Rafael Sotelo, Quantum-South Co-Founder and President, says the Quantum-South and IAG Cargo teams worked together to integrate the operational data into its algorithms and customized the algorithms of two user cases to come up with a unique solution for IAG Cargo scenarios.
PRESS RELEASE —Madrid, Spain/October 17th, 2022 Quantum-South reports that IAG Cargo, the cargo handling division of International Airlines Group (IAG) has trialled Quantum-South’s new service which explores the use of quantum algorithms for
air cargo optimization.
In May 2022 Quantum-South started a proof of concept exploring the possibility of optimizing ULD flight loading using quantum computing, particularly in the flight handover phase of optimization workflow. In a test case with IAG Cargo, Quantum-South algorithms were revealed to the
business rules applied when planning the ULDs loading, real flights, shipments and ULD data samples in specific formats to streamline loading plans.
The Quantum-South solution is powered by quantum annealing technology like D-Wave combined with conventional systems in a cloud provider like AWS and Amazon Braket. Available packages for transportation are split in several ULDs and then organized to fit in each ULD. This solution combines two user cases: ULD load optimization in an aircraft and the bin packing
optimization for a single ULD.
The results of their first trial suggest that further applications of the solution could bring flight load plan optimization improvements, allowing for benefits in the priority mix, weight and volume loaded on busy flights. It is also expected to bring process efficiency improvements, allowing to
reduce the time required to analyze and optimize each flight manually. The solution could also bring significant workload efficiency, as the current optimization process focus on a subset of all flights, and potentially could allow optimizing the whole cargo carrier network.
“IAG Cargo is always looking for innovative solutions to improve the efficiency of its processes” said Angel Cabeza, IAG Cargo Head of Technology Change. “We are excited to move into further phases to confirm the results of these initial findings” he added.
“We started visiting the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport in Spain to understand very well the IAG Cargo current process” said Dr. Rafael Sotelo, Quantum-South Co-Founder & President. “Quantum-South and IAG Cargo teams worked together to integrate the operational data into our algorithms, and we customized the algorithms of two user cases to come with a unique solution for IAG Cargo scenarios.”
About Quantum-South
Founded in 2019, Quantum-South works with complex optimization problems for cargo in airlines and ships leveraging quantum computing software.
Quantum South was born at the University of Montevideo in Uruguay and is the first quantum start-up in Latin
America.
Quantum South aims to achieve better results than conventional solutions available today and help
companies to improve revenues and reduce costs.
Quantum South also works in solving financial sector problems where the quantum utility provides better
solutions.
www.quantum-south.com
About IAG Cargo
IAG Cargo is the single business created following the merger of British Airways World Cargo and Iberia Cargo in April 2011. Following the integration of additional airlines into the business, including Aer
Lingus, Vueling and bmi, IAG Cargo now covers a global network.
It has a combined workforce of more than 2,250 people. Its parent company, International Airlines Group, is one of the world’s largest airline groups with 531 aircraft as of 31st December 2021. It is the third largest
group in Europe and the sixth largest in the world, based on revenue.
For further information on IAG Cargo, please visit the IAG Cargo Magazine:
https://iagcargomagazine.com/ or alternatively, visit the IAG Cargo website: https://www.iagcargo.com
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