ANA and Hitachi Launch Japan’s First AI-Based “Operations Brain” System for Flight Disruption Management
Tokyo, July 15, 2025
All Nippon Airways (ANA), in collaboration with Hitachi, Ltd., has unveiled Japan’s first AI-based flight disruption management system, named the “Operations Brain.” Designed to rapidly generate optimized flight schedule revisions during irregular operations, the system is already in operation for ANA’s domestic network and aims to significantly reduce delays and customer impact.
What the System Offers:
- It automatically analyzes large datasets including aircraft schedules, maintenance plans, crew rosters, and airport conditions to generate optimal revision scenarios in real time.
- This reduces decision-making time by several hours and ensures smoother, faster operational responses during disruptions.
- Operations staff can quickly assess AI-generated proposals and select the most efficient solution, significantly enhancing decision-making under pressure.
Ending Overnight Manual Planning
Previously, ANA’s experienced staff had to manually create new schedules during disruptions such as typhoons — a process that often took an entire night. The new system has reduced planning time by up to 70%, alleviating staff pressure and enabling quicker updates to passengers.
A Human-Centric Digital Approach
Development began in 2019. After rigorous testing, the system has proven capable of matching the quality of scheduling decisions previously made by veteran operational planners. It allows for fast and dynamic responses in Japan’s complex flight environment, known for frequent typhoons and densely scheduled routes.
Vision for the Future – Global Expansion
Hitachi plans to expand the solution under its Lumada digital innovation brand, with future implementations across ANA’s international network and other global airlines. The system aims to support essential aviation infrastructure while improving workforce efficiency and customer well-being.
