One of the largest airline company, easyJet, has integrated artificial intelligence (AI) at its new control centre to improve flight management, the airline announced. The control centre, located near Luton Airport, employs more than 250 staff who oversee easyJet’s daily operations, including planning routes, allocating pilots and cabin crew, arranging aircraft maintenance, and managing passenger communications.
Central to this technological upgrade is Jetstream, a generative AI tool designed to expedite problem-solving for pilots and ground crews. According to easyJet, Jetstream enhances operational efficiency by predicting standby crew requirements and recommending optimal crew options for each flight.
Johan Lundgren, easyJet’s Chief Executive, emphasized the timely launch of these facilities ahead of the busy summer travel season. He highlighted the significant benefits of the AI system, stating, “At easyJet, we saw the potential early on for data to improve customer experience and operational efficiency, which could help us provide a better flying experience for our customers, crew, and pilots.”
The control centre staff now operate from a “modern and bespoke” hub, equipped to utilize advanced data analytics. Lundgren noted that while the technology might not be visible to passengers, its impact is profound, aiding in predicting food and beverage requirements for specific routes, reducing food waste, making predictive maintenance decisions, and selecting the appropriate aircraft to meet demand.
“We continue to invest in and deepen our knowledge and use of AI,” Lundgren added, underlining easyJet’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance both operational performance and customer satisfaction. The implementation of AI tools like Jetstream marks a significant step in easyJet’s strategy to optimize its flight operations and improve the overall travel experience.
