NABLA Mobility and Vietnam Airlines Launch Network-Wide Trial of AI Flight Delay Prediction Platform
The trial marks NABLA’s first partnership with an airline in Vietnam, as the Tokyo-based startup extends its AI-powered operational decision-support technology into Southeast Asia
TOKYO and HANOI - NABLA Mobility Inc. ("NABLA"), a Tokyo-based aviation technology company, and Vietnam Airlines JSC ("Vietnam Airlines"), Vietnam's national flag carrier, today announced a trial of Operational Forecaster, NABLA's AI-powered platform for predicting and managing flight delays. Structured as a formal proof-of-concept (PoC), the trial is NABLA's first collaboration with an airline in Vietnam and marks the first entry of Operational Forecaster into the Southeast Asian aviation market.
The trial has been designed to span both domestic and international operations, reflecting the level of commitment both companies are putting into the program. Vietnam Airlines will evaluate Operational Forecaster within its Operations Control Center (OCC), assessing the platform's ability to support operations controllers in identifying and managing delay risk network-wide. The trial reflects Vietnam Airlines' continued investment in digital transformation and NABLA's ambition to bring AI-driven operational decision support to airlines across the region.
Operational Forecaster combines historical operational data, weather forecasts, air traffic conditions, and flight schedules to identify flights at risk of delay before disruptions occur. The platform surfaces the likely root causes behind a predicted delay, indicates the system's confidence in each prediction, and simulates how a disruption could cascade across the wider network, giving operations controllers and dispatchers additional lead time to evaluate options and make decisions. The platform is designed to support, not replace, the judgment of flight dispatchers and operations controllers.
NABLA and Vietnam Airlines teams at Vietnam Airlines’ headquarters in Hanoi
"We don't want to build a tool that replaces human operators. Our goal is to help operations controllers see risk earlier, so they have more time to evaluate the situation and make the right call," said Shinji Tanaka, Founder and CEO of NABLA Mobility.
"Testing new AI-driven decision-support tools inside our Operations Control Center reflects Vietnam Airlines' commitment to innovation and to strengthening how we manage flight operations," said Nhu Huy Hung, Deputy Director, Operations Control Center, Vietnam Airlines.
The trial follows a phased approach, beginning with data integration, model calibration, and onboarding, followed by the PoC period itself within Vietnam Airlines' live environment. Both companies will jointly assess the results at the conclusion of the trial to determine next steps, including potential long-term deployment.
About NABLA Mobility
NABLA Mobility develops advanced machine learning solutions for the aviation industry, helping airlines operate more efficiently and sustainably. Its portfolio includes Weave, Operational Forecaster, and OBST, which help flight operations teams make faster, data-supported decisions while reducing workload and improving efficiency. Operational Forecaster helps operations control centers predict and manage flight delays before they occur.
NABLA is growing its team and actively developing new products to support its continued expansion. We are looking for people who share our mission and want to help tackle efficiency and decarbonization challenges in the aviation industry. If that’s you, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch through our career page.
About Vietnam Airlines
Vietnam Airlines is the national flag carrier of Vietnam and a member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network, connecting Vietnam with destinations across the region and around the world.
Vietnam Airlines is committed to maintaining high standards of safety and service quality while continuously improving operational efficiency and reliability. The airline is advancing its digital transformation and applying new technologies to strengthen its operational capabilities and enhance the passenger experience.
