Air New Zealand has announced a strategic alliance with FLYR Labs to develop advanced AI-based applications that utilise ‘Cirrus’, a platform that provides a single source of commercial and revenue-related forecasts and metrics.

Under the agreement, a team of FLYR Labs data science, software development, and other employees will co-locate out of Air New Zealand’s headquarters in Auckland in the new year.

The team will develop AI-powered products that enhance the airline’s commercial operations.

Air New Zealand Group’s general manager for commercial, strategy and alliance Michael Williams said: “The Cirrus software platform has been key in optimising our capacity and schedule planning, providing efficiencies for both our team and our customers.

“The next stage on our journey is looking to how we can use the software to further enhance our digital capabilities across the business.

“The alliance is also incredibly exciting for our people, who will have the opportunity to develop and implement software that’s leading the way in innovation in the aviation industry.”

FLYR’s founder and CEO Alex Mans said: “FLYR Labs has worked alongside Air New Zealand to demonstrate how our Cirrus platform can improve passenger load forecasting and, by doing so, optimise revenue outcomes.

“It is very gratifying to announce that we have formalised the relationship with Air New Zealand and intend to work alongside their team to partner on the creation of additional solutions.”