Tata Consultancy Services launches multi-year cloud deal with Air France-KLM for data-centric transformation

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a renowned global IT and consulting firm, has secured a multi-year contract to revolutionize Air France-KLM’s data management. Over the next three years, TCS will move the airline group’s extensive data resources to the cloud, a strategic shift anticipated to position Air France-KLM as the world’s most data-centric airline group.

This cloud migration will enable Air France-KLM to exit traditional data centers, promoting advanced, sustainable aviation by facilitating efficient data utilization for operational decisions, functionality improvements, and cost-saving efficiencies.

Transformative Partnership: Building on Decades of Collaboration

Having supported Air France-KLM’s customer service, digital advancements, and e-commerce innovations for over 30 years, TCS is now taking on the critical task of migrating core operational and customer data to the cloud. This includes key areas such as flight operations, passenger management, aircraft maintenance, and e-commerce platforms, which will benefit from enhanced efficiency, seamless data access, and fortified data security.

Pierre-Olivier Bandet, Air France-KLM’s EVP and Group CIO, emphasized the group’s commitment to digital transformation, aiming to leverage cloud data to reinforce their position as a leader in both sustainable and data-driven aviation. He conveyed the airline’s enthusiasm to work with TCS in realizing their goal of exceeding customer expectations through greater agility and technological sophistication.

The Power of Data-Driven Aviation: A Strategic Shift for Operational Excellence

By centralizing and structuring data on a single cloud platform, Air France-KLM will have the tools to streamline complex operations across its fleet of 551 aircraft that serve over 320 destinations worldwide. This extensive project tackles the challenges of disparate and unstructured data systems, allowing Air France-KLM to make informed, timely decisions that enhance both customer satisfaction and operational performance.

Krishnan Ramanujam, President of TCS’s Consumer Business Group, highlighted the project as a culmination of TCS’s 30-year collaboration with Air France-KLM, noting the positive impact of their work on passengers, employees, and partners alike. He reiterated TCS’s dedication to helping the airline achieve new milestones in data-driven aviation, operational excellence, and sustainability.

Project Highlights: First-Year Data Accessibility and Strategic Leadership Across Regions

In the first year alone, data accessibility on the new cloud platform is expected to be achieved, a critical milestone for driving quick wins in operational improvements. The project will involve over 100 TCS professionals working closely with Air France-KLM’s data team in Toulouse, ensuring collaborative success across TCS delivery centers in France, the Netherlands, and India.

Sapthagiri Chapalapalli, Head of Europe at TCS, noted that this partnership exemplifies the trust, commitment, and innovation TCS and Air France-KLM share. The recent contract, he added, underscores the mutual ambition of both organizations to set industry standards for data-centric operations and sustainable growth.

TCS in France: Strengthening Market Presence and Investing in Future Technologies

TCS’s operations in France have flourished since its inception in 1992. With a workforce of over 1,600 supporting 80 leading French businesses, TCS has deepened its commitment to the market through recent expansions, including a new headquarters in La Défense and a Human-Centric AI Center of Excellence. In addition, TCS’s new Aviation Digital Centre in Portugal serves as a hub of innovation for its European aviation clients, featuring advanced digital offerings tailored for the transportation sector.

This latest project with Air France-KLM underscores TCS’s pivotal role in transforming global aviation. Leveraging its proprietary TCS Aviana platform, the company provides a holistic approach to intelligent airline operations, offering a cloud-ready solution that addresses both current and future industry demands.