Powered by AI and Mathematical Optimization, Orbit brings clarity to complexity - connecting crew, aircraft, passenger, fuel, maintenance and schedule data to help airlines act instantly, stay in control, and keep operations running smoothly.
Orbit is the next-generation decision support platform tailored for airline Operations Control Centers. From proactive disruption recovery to daily tail optimization, Orbit empowers controllers to act faster, improve efficiency, and build resilience into every schedule.
Consider all relevant dimensions in one optimization run.
Process vast datasets in seconds, enabling real-time optimization.
Works effortlessly with common industry Operations Control Center tools.
Customize optimization behavior to match your unique requirements.
Orbit covers the critical tasks of every Operations Control Center, from proactive stability to fast recovery when disruptions hit.
Recovery scenarios include:
Tail Optimization includes:
Traditional disruption recovery starts after irregularities occur. With Orbit’s Cancel Assistant, you can proactively prepare strong cancellation options that stabilize operations before disruptions escalate.
Recovery and Cancel Assistant work hand in hand: one restores stability after disruption, the other prepares for it in advance.
With Gurobi’s decision intelligence technology, customers can make optimal business decisions in seconds. From workforce scheduling and portfolio optimization to supply chain design and everything in between, Gurobi identifies the optimal solution, out of trillions of possibilities. As the leader in decision intelligence, Gurobi delivers easy-to-integrate, full-featured software and best-in-class support, with an industry-leading 98% customer satisfaction rating.
Orbit is continuously developed in collaboration with industry partners and leading research institutions.
Product Owner
Book a personalized demo to see how Orbit can enhance your airline’s operational resilience.
Can Orbit be integrated into any airline’s IT infrastructure?
Yes. Orbit connects to any Ops Control system via our REST API. Integration can be done either as a plug-in directly inside your Ops Control tool or as a separate data platform exporting solutions back into it.
Is Orbit available as software only, or also as SaaS (Software as a Service)?
Both. You can choose a licensed on-premise solution or a SaaS model, depending on your IT strategy.
Does Orbit have its own user interface (UI)?
Orbit can be embedded directly into your Ops Control Gantt view, or a dedicated web interface can be provided to display results (e.g., solution reports).
Do we need third-party products to run Orbit?
No additional systems are required. However, Orbit needs an optimization engine license (we recommend Gurobi).
Does Orbit always find the most cost-effective solution?
Not all operational effects can be directly measured in money. Orbit uses calibrated “abstract cost values” (e.g., for aircraft swaps, delays, or passenger disruption). These values are jointly defined with the airline. Where cost data exists, Orbit translates improvements into monetary savings.
Can users configure their own optimization settings?
Yes. For each use case (e.g., Tail Optimization, AOG disruption handling), Orbit comes with predefined business rules and settings. Some can be adjusted by users (e.g., extent of equipment changes). For stability, we do not recommend altering all parameters, although it is technically possible.
Can airlines adjust rules without M2P’s involvement?
Yes. Airlines can change parameters themselves. However, since more than 100 parameters may interact, we recommend involving both key users and an Orbit optimization expert to ensure quality and consistency.
Does Orbit respect business rules, and when are exceptions allowed?
Yes. Orbit distinguishes between “hard rules” (never broken) and “soft rules” (relaxed only when it improves outcomes, e.g., slightly reducing minimum ground time to avoid excessive crew swaps). Which rules belong in which category is defined together with the airline.
Which aviation aspects does Orbit consider?
Orbit takes a holistic approach: crew, passengers, aircraft, ground events, airports, etc. are optimized together in one model, rather than separately. This avoids solutions that optimize for one dimension (e.g., crew) but harm another (e.g., passengers).
Does Orbit generate multiple solutions for comparison?
Yes. Depending on system setup, multiple solutions can be created and compared. Orbit provides tailored solution reports including KPIs and details such as delays, cancellations, and equipment changes.
Can solutions be tested in What-If scenarios before being applied?
Yes. Solutions are first loaded into a What-If environment. Users can review and adjust before publishing to the Ops Control system.
If a user stops the optimization early, is the result still usable?
Yes. Orbit works in two steps: it first finds a valid solution, then optimizes it further. If a user stops the run after a valid solution has been found, Orbit will return the best solution so far, which can be used in the Ops Control system. If the process is stopped before a solution has been found, Orbit does not return any output.
How long has Orbit been in use?
Orbit has supported a major European airline since 2017.
Why is there currently only one reference customer?
M2P Consulting acquired the rights to Orbit in 2024. Since then, sales to other airlines have been possible.
How long does implementation take?
Typically 6–12 months, depending on interfaces and infrastructure. We recommend starting with a Proof of Concept to align Orbit with your specific needs before full rollout.
