Finnair and Silo AI improve situational awareness of air traffic with artificial intelligence

Finnair and the artificial intelligence company Silo.AI built a machine learning artificial intelligence tool that enables the airline to predict possible disruptions to air traffic more accurately. In Finland, this unprecedented solution can for example be used to assess the impact of weather on the punctuality of flights, so that preparations for irregularities can be done in advance.

Flight punctuality is one of the biggest factors that affect customer satisfaction, and weather is one of the biggest factors affecting the punctuality of air travel globally. With Silo.AI's artificial intelligence solution, Finnair will be able to better prepare for exceptional circumstances caused by weather and plan actions to minimize the impact on customers well in advance.“We tested the artificial intelligence solution in the pilot phase last winter and the results were encouraging,” says Juha Karstunen, digital transformation lead at Finnair. “The goal is to implement the solution as part of a broader technical reform later this year. We are also developing other intelligent solutions to support decision-making. Exceptional weather conditions are common in air travel, and our goal is always to minimize their impact on our customers' travel plans.”Silo.AI is the largest private artificial intelligence laboratory in the Nordic countries that builds artificial intelligence solutions as a consultancy service for various industries. In the pilot phase of the project, the company utilized Finnair's historical punctuality data, total runway capacity forecasts, actual weather forecasts as well as past weather forecasts. There was also a warning mechanism built into the artificial intelligence solution that alerts if a certain number of flights are expected to be delayed.

“We are glad that Finnair is boldly experimenting with new technology to support operational efficiency and decision-making in air transport,” says Tero Ojanperä, Executive Chairman of Silo.AI. “Finnair's project team combined strong business expertise, understanding of the application of artificial intelligence, and a strong will to utilize data to support business. The co-operation that started with the pilot has continued in many other projects.”

Read Finnair's original Press Release in Finnish.

Read Finnair's original Press Release in English.

About

Silo.AI

Silo.AI is the largest private Artificial Intelligence laboratory in the Nordics that builds AI as a service. The company serves clients on four different continents, including central banks, financial institutions, heavy industry, airlines, maritime, media and retail. Silo.AI believes strongly in a future of human-centered artificial intelligence and builds “human-in-the-loop” AI solutions to provide strategic assets to the core business in a measurable, safe and explainable way.

Finnair‍

‍Finnair flies between Asia, Europe and North America with an emphasis on fast connections via Helsinki, carrying more than thirteen million passengers annually. Finnair's extensive network connects 20 cities in Asia and 8 cities in North America with over 100 destinations in Europe. The airline, a pioneer in sustainable flying, was the first European airline to fly the next-generation, eco-smart Airbus A350 XWB aircraft and it is the first airline listed in the Leadership Index of the worldwide Carbon Disclosure Project. The only Nordic carrier with a 4-star Skytrax ranking, Finnair has also won the World Airline Award for Best Airline Northern Europe for the past nine years running. Finnair is a member of oneworld, the alliance of the world's leading airlines committed to providing the highest level of service and convenience to frequent international travellers.

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