Google Cloud & Air France-KLM Take Data Power to the Skies

Airlines around the globe are currently facing a lot of challenges, ranging from fluctuating fuel prices and increasing environmental concerns to evolving customer expectations and the need to upgrade outdated infrastructure.

In light of these issues, opting for cloud computing and AI optimisation has proven to be a crucial strategy for airlines striving to keep a competitive edge.

The partnership between Google Cloud and Air France-KLM is one such example.

This collaboration is particularly timely given the current dynamics in the European aviation market.

As Europe's third-largest airline group, Air France-KLM finds itself in a fierce competition with both budget carriers and expansive Middle Eastern airlines.

The announcement of this partnership also comes amid growing demands for airlines to take their environmental responsibilities more seriously.

With the aviation industry responsible for around 3% of global CO2 emissions, there's an urgent need for airlines to decrease their environmental footprint, especially given United CSO Lauren Riley's prediction that aviation's share of global GHG emissions will rise considerably as other industries decarbonise.

The potential to use data analytics to boost fuel efficiency, optimise routes and enable predictive maintenance is shifting from being merely advantageous to absolutely vital for operational sustainability, and drafting in Google Cloud could provide this momentum.

The nexus of data and efficiency

Air France-KLM, managing a fleet of 551 aircraft and anticipating servicing around 93 million passengers in the year, stands to benefit enormously from enhanced data operations.

This magnitude of data can significantly optimise decision-making and streamline operations.

As part of its digital strategy, the transition from three old data centres to a multi-cloud set-up will provide the airline with the advanced technology of Google Cloud, including tools like BigQuery that support large-scale data analysis.

Pierre-Olivier Bandet, Air France-KLM Group Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, has noted this shift as a major advancement in their data handling strategy.

"Our collaboration with Google Cloud is a significant step forward in our data strategy," he says.

"By leveraging Google Cloud's advanced data technology with a real partnership approach, we intend to accelerate our innovation capacities with security in mind, and with Gen AI, build the future of travel."

How GenAI can reinvent customer interactions

One of the earlier applications of Gen AI at Air France-KLM has included automating customer support, which not only expedites the management processes but also raises the bar in maintaining aircraft efficiently.

The partnership further establishes a dedicated Gen AI cloud instance, which prepares the airline to devise innovative solutions that are tailored specially to its needs.

According to Matt Renner, President of Global Revenue at Google Cloud, this is just the beginning.

"Airlines generate massive amounts of data, much of which can be incredibly valuable in helping drive operational insights, build better customer experiences and – with the power of Gen AI – create entirely new services and offerings," he explains.

"We’re proud to support Air France-KLM on their journey of innovation and help them shape the future of the airline industry."

Moreover, as part of the collaboration, Google Cloud will provide various training sessions covering data science, security, and applications of Gen AI for Air France-KLM staff aimed at promoting a culture of openness and data sharing within the organisation.

This initiative aims to arm employees with the knowledge to utilise data more effectively, empowering them to make informed decisions which can significantly influence the airline's operational and strategic directions.

A game-changing partnership

This venture is backed by a long-standing collaboration between Air France-KLM and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), spanning over three decades.

TCS has played a crucial role in various facets of Air France-KLM's operations, including enhancing customer services and e-commerce solutions.

The recent agreement focuses on transferring essential systems to a cloud-native structure over the next three years, with a fast-paced schedule anticipating initial data integration on the new cloud platform within the first year, showcasing the commitment to rapid innovation by both organisations.

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