Digitalisation can power airlines’ zero carbon goal

Published: 1 March 2021 at 15:00

Twin engine airliner landing on an airport runway

ARU webinar will discuss role of supply chains in helping industry reach 2050 target

Cleaner biofuels, more efficient engines and electric batteries have dominated discussions around how the airline industry can become net zero carbon by 2050, but an expert panel will explain the crucial role that supply chains can play in helping the industry meet this target.  

During the free public online event on 12 March, organised by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), industry and academic speakers will look at the digitalisation of supply chains and how the airline industry can learn from other sectors, including online food delivery.

The four expert speakers will discuss the industry’s zero net carbon target and how concepts, such as the emergence of Industry 4.0, Digital Twins – which are virtual replicas of physical devices that help with simulation and modelling – and Artificial Intelligence, are helping businesses to accelerate the digitalisation of business operations and optimisation of supply chains.

The speakers are:
Dr Ying Xie, Director of the Centre for Intelligent Supply Chains at ARU, who will speak about how aircraft, airlines and airports will set the path for sustainable aviation;
Dr Duncan Russell, Robotics Research Development Manager, Ocado Technology, whose presentation will cover machine learning and analytics in supply chain automation; 
Professor Michael Bourlakis, Director of Research, Director of the Centre for Logistics, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Cranfield University, who will speak about e-commerce and transforming the B2B supply chain; 
Vikram Kumar Singla, Senior Strategy Director at Oracle Corporation, who will talk about Oracle’s modern approach to integrated business planning and execution.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions of the panel at the end of the event.

Dr Xie, of ARU’s Centre for Intelligent Supply Chains, said:

“To achieve the target of net zero carbon emissions in the aviation industry, a novel aviation supply chain from product design to end-of-life management is needed. By using state-of-the-art digital systems, airlines will be able to get maximum value from resources and materials.

“Digitalisation and technology transformation will enable key industry figures to create their own digital environments, enhance supply chain visibility, identify risks, and accelerate decision making. 

“This webinar is an opportunity to hear directly from academic researchers and industry experts on how to shape drive digital transformations in supply chains, and should be of interest to anyone working in the airline industry.”


The free live event is being organised in partnership with Cranfield University, and will take place on Friday, 12 March from 1pm until 2.30pm, via Microsoft Teams. 

To register, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/supply-chain-digitalisation-webinar-tickets-137243235211