Lufthansa and SAP have announced the world’s first “Aviation Blockchain Challenge” and are seeking blockchain solutions that enhance traveler’s customer experience, processes, supply chains, and maintenance procedures at airlines.

The idea contest has been launched by the Lufthansa Innovation Hub and SAP.iO Berlin Foundry. Applicants would compete in three different categories:

• Traveler challenge: Targets the entire travel chain that offer clear added value to travelers.
• Airline challenge: Ideas are sought that improve airline specific operations and related processes.
• Supplier challenge: Seeks ideas with the potential to rethink maintenance and related aspects of the aviation supply chain.

"We look forward to discussing innovative solutions and initiating experiments together with our partner SAP at the Aviation Blockchain Challenge. By combining our aviation industry expertise with the blockchain technology of a world market leader, we are creating the ideal worldwide framework for addressing blockchain entrepreneurs with an affinity for travel and mobility," explains Thorsten Dirks, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG and in charge of Eurowings and Aviation Services.

Winning teams would receive an access to SAP’s Blockchain-as-a-Service, which will help them build or improve their minimum viable product (MVP), as well as Lufthansa Group's industry access to all major areas of the aviation ecosystem to push their projects forward. In addition, a mentoring program will offer selected participants support from the experts at the Lufthansa Innovation Hub and SAP.iO Berlin Foundry in the further development of their solutions.

Those interested can submit their applications until August 31, 2018. The best three ideas per category will first be nominated for the mentoring program, which will start in September 2018. On October 23, 2018, teams will have the opportunity to pitch for a further collaboration at the Lufthansa Innovation Forum at Lufthansa's headquarters in Frankfurt am Main.