Technology & Innovation
IAG Deploys AISmartPlan AI Maintenance Platform at Aer Lingus
IAG signs multi-year deal to deploy AISmartPlan AI maintenance planning platform at Aer Lingus, reducing planning time from hours to minutes.
This article is based on an official press release from International Airlines Group (IAG).
On May 28, 2026, International Airlines Group (IAG) announced a multi-year commercial agreement between its Irish flag carrier, Aer Lingus, and AISmartPlan, an advanced AI-powered aircraft maintenance planning platform. According to the official press release, the partnership follows a highly successful three-month trial conducted during the 2025 cohort of the IAGi Accelerator programme.
The integration of AISmartPlan’s technology is designed to replace traditionally manual maintenance production planning with an intelligent, automated system. By pulling together critical operational data, ranging from flight schedules and aircraft availability to workforce constraints, the platform generates optimized maintenance plans, reducing a process that previously took hours down to mere minutes.
As airlines globally face supply chain bottlenecks and labor shortages, the adoption of artificial intelligence to streamline workforce management and reduce aircraft downtime is becoming increasingly critical. This deployment at Aer Lingus serves as a significant milestone in IAG’s broader strategy to embed AI-driven efficiencies across its portfolio of airlines.
Transforming Maintenance with Artificial Intelligence
From Manual Spreadsheets to Automated Workflows
According to industry data provided in the supplementary research report, AISmartPlan was founded by Nicolas Grondin and developed by Sydney-based Redback Software. The platform is engineered to integrate seamlessly with an airline’s existing Maintenance and Engineering (M&E) software. By doing so, it automatically matches the right maintenance technicians to specific aircraft and tasks at the optimal time.
The press release highlights that the system offers intuitive, drag-and-drop visualization tools, enabling maintenance teams to quickly understand, adapt, and take ownership of their schedules. Furthermore, the platform includes a dedicated chat feature connecting planners and technicians, alongside an AI assistant capable of answering operational questions and generating reports.
“The way maintenance tasks were allocated to our engineers was previously highly manual and time consuming, which limited how far ahead we could plan. The IAGi Accelerator programme provided us with a valuable opportunity to work with AISmartPlan and test an AI optimised approach using real operational constraints. This partnership marks a fundamental change in how we plan and optimise maintenance. What used to take hours each day can now be done in minutes, and with far greater confidence in the outcome.”
The Role of the IAGi Accelerator
Fast-Tracking Aviation Technology
The rapid deployment of AISmartPlan, moving from a proof of concept to a working, commercial-grade solution in just three months, was facilitated by the IAGi Accelerator. Formerly known as “Hangar 51,” the program rebranded to “IAGi” in March 2025 to align more closely with the parent brand. Entering its 10th year, the accelerator has partnered with more than 120 companies to test and validate technologies in live aviation environments.
The research report notes that upon its 2025 rebrand, IAG’s venture arm (IAGi Ventures) committed €200 million over five years to invest in aviation and travel technology startups. The 2025 cohort was the program’s largest to date, featuring 29 startups from 11 countries, with a heavy focus on artificial intelligence.
“Our goal has always been to fully automate maintenance planning and make complex plans instantly visible and actionable. The IAGi Accelerator gave us an incredible opportunity that early-stage companies rarely get – deep operational engagement with an airline that was willing to test, challenge and cocreate the solution with us. Aer Lingus’ feedback directly shaped the product and proved its market fit in aviation.”
Broader Industry Implications
AirPro News analysis
We observe that the aviation industry is undergoing a systemic shift away from reactive maintenance, often reliant on legacy tools and spreadsheets, toward proactive, AI-driven predictive maintenance. In a sector where an extra hour of aircraft downtime can cost thousands of dollars, the ability to dynamically schedule and optimize maintenance is a distinct competitive advantage.
The AISmartPlan agreement is not an isolated technological upgrade; it is indicative of a much larger AI transformation at IAG. We note that IAG’s in-house AI Labs, based in London and Barcelona, recently developed an “Engine Optimisation System.” This proprietary system runs millions of “what-if” scenarios to dynamically schedule engine maintenance. Much like AISmartPlan, this engine system was first implemented at Aer Lingus, which frequently serves as the group’s testing ground, and is slated for rollout across British Airways, Iberia, and Vueling.
The success of AISmartPlan underscores the immense value of corporate accelerators in highly regulated industries. By embedding early-stage startups directly into complex operational environments, major airline groups can fast-track the development of deep-tech solutions that might otherwise take years to achieve market fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AISmartPlan?
AISmartPlan is an advanced AI-powered aircraft maintenance planning platform that automates the scheduling of maintenance tasks, matching engineers to aircraft based on operational data, flight schedules, and workforce constraints.
How much time does AISmartPlan save?
According to Aer Lingus, the implementation of the platform has reduced the time required for daily maintenance planning from hours to minutes.
What is the IAGi Accelerator?
Formerly known as Hangar 51, the IAGi Accelerator is International Airlines Group’s flagship innovation program. It partnerships with startups to test and validate new technologies in live airline environments. The program has worked with over 120 companies in its 10-year history.
Photo Credit: IAG