Mphasis and Copa Airlines Seek Quantum Boost to Airline Efficiency

Copa Airlines and Mphasis recently invited teams from Indian Institutes of Technology and the University of Calgary to tackle a precise challenge: optimizing passenger re-accommodation during flight disruptions, the company says. The international competition focused on improving the passenger re-accommodation rate without impacting the solution runtime, areas where current methods fall short. Participants used quantum computing to address a problem stemming from demand shifts, seasonal routes, or cancellations, working with real Copa Airlines data. “The Quantum Computing Challenge reflects Mphasis’ commitment to applied innovation and advancements in quantum technologies,” said Srikumar Ramanathan, Chief Solutions Officer at Mphasis, as industries seek to deploy quantum computing for real-world impact. Mphasis and Copa Airlines Launch Quantum Disruption Management Challenge Teams from the University of Calgary and several Indian Institutes of Technology competed in a challenge designed to refine passenger re-accommodation strategies using quantum computing, a focused invitation indicating a deliberate approach to sourcing solutions. Copa Airlines and Mphasis structured the competition around a specific disruption management issue, arising from factors like fluctuating demand, seasonal route adjustments, or flight cancellations. This precise focus allowed participants to address a well-defined pain point within airline operations, rather than tackling broad, undefined challenges. Mphasis’ commitment to quantum computing extends beyond theoretical exploration, as evidenced by its collaborations and innovation hubs; in September 2024, the company opened a London innovation hub positioned as a center of excellence for quantum computing, quantum cryptography and AI aimed at algorithmic underwriting, catastrophic risk. The company’s NEXT Labs, its research and development division, partnered with Copa Airlines to define the challenge parameters, secure necessary data, and establish evaluation criteria, demonstrating a commitment to translating research into practical applications, according to the company. The objective was to improve the passenger re-accommodation rate without impacting the solution runtime, a dual benchmark suggesting existing methods are either slow or lack precision. Mphasis continues to advance quantum computing to solve complex business problems by driving research, talent development, and the creation of advanced quantum solutions for real-world enterprise challenges, the firm reports. The challenge explored how quantum computing could address a problem traditionally solved with well-established mathematical optimization techniques on high-performance classical computing systems. Participants were tasked with improving the speed and accuracy of passenger re-accommodation at scale, a feat requiring innovative algorithms and efficient quantum circuit design. “As industries move from experimenting with quantum computing to deploying it for real-world impact, its maturity and readiness for enterprise-scale applications are becoming increasingly evident.” Winning teams will receive both a cash prize and joint recognition from Copa Airlines and Mphasis, incentivizing practical, scalable solutions. Julio Toro, Chief Information Officer at Copa Airlines, emphasized the airline’s dedication to transformative technologies, stating, “The Quantum Computing Challenge reflects our commitment to exploring transformative technologies that can redefine the future of airline operations.” He further noted that the innovative solutions presented demonstrated how quantum computing, combined with diverse talent, can foster more intelligent and adaptive aviation ecosystems. Mphasis’ ongoing efforts to advance quantum computing, including research, talent development, and the creation of enterprise-level solutions, position the company as a key player in the emerging field of applied quantum technologies.

The Quantum Computing Challenge reflects our commitment to exploring transformative technologies that can redefine the future of airline operations. The innovative solutions presented by participants worldwide was truly inspiring, demonstrating how quantum computing, combined with diverse talent and fresh perspectives, can help build more intelligent, adaptive, and connected aviation ecosystems for the years ahead. Julio Toro, Chief Information Officer, Copa Airlines Challenge Phases & Pipeline: From IIT Selection to Copa Data Mphasis experts and IIT-Madras faculty jointly evaluated the initial submissions, ultimately selecting six teams to advance, demonstrating a rigorous vetting process prioritizing both theoretical understanding and practical application. This initial screening phase ensured a high standard of entrants before introducing the complexities of real-world data and quantum infrastructure. Phase two of the challenge moved beyond theoretical models, tasking the nine remaining teams with applying their algorithms to authentic passenger re-accommodation data sourced from Copa Airlines, and utilizing quantum computing resources provided by partners Classiq, Multiverse Computing, and qBraid. Participants constructed complete solution pipelines, encompassing passenger impact assessment, prioritization based on customer value, ranking of alternative flights, and ultimately, optimal reassignment using both quantum and classical optimization techniques, a comprehensive test of their end-to-end capabilities. Mphasis, in conjunction with IIT-Madras and Quantum City, further refined the field, identifying three solutions for presentation to Copa Airlines leadership, a process that underscored the company’s commitment to translating academic research into tangible business improvements.

The Quantum Computing Challenge reflects Mphasis’ commitment to applied innovation and advancements in quantum technologies. As industries move from experimenting with quantum computing to deploying it for real-world impact, its maturity and readiness for enterprise-scale applications are becoming increasingly evident. Srikumar Ramanathan, Chief Solutions Officer, Mphasis QOptiDecision & qCryptsec: Mphasis Advances Quantum Offerings Mphasis has extended its quantum computing initiatives with the launch of two new products, QOptiDecision and qCryptsec, designed to address optimization and cybersecurity challenges respectively. These offerings build on the company’s recent collaboration with Copa Airlines, which culminated in a global Quantum Computing Challenge aimed at improving airline operations through quantum-enhanced solutions. The challenge focused on disruption management by addressing the passenger re-accommodation problem, a critical airline process involving reassignment of passengers to alternate flights during schedule disruptions due to demand shifts, seasonal routes, or cancellations. The company opened an innovation hub for Mphasis Europe in London’s Tower 42 in September 2024, positioned as a center of excellence for algorithmic underwriting and catastrophic risk, demonstrating a clear intent to deploy quantum technologies across multiple sectors, the company states.

The Quantum City Centre of Excellence in Calgary, launched in partnership with the Government of Alberta, aims to establish quantum fabrication infrastructure and talent development programs. Source: https://www.mphasis.com/content/dam/mphasis-com/global/en/news/press_releases/mphasis-and-copa-airlines-host-global-quantum-computing-challenge-to-accelerate-innovation-in-airline-operations.pdf More like thisDeep TechSENKO and PHIX create common interface for photonic modulesQuantum SensorsQuantum sensors offer a GPS alternative as battlefield jamming risesQuantum TechnologyLockheed Martin builds a quantum hub to speed up defense techQuantum ApplicationsIonQ tests quantum AI on real satellite image dataStay currentSee today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals. Tags: