Taking Flight Toward Innovation: Empowering the Future of SustAInable Aviation

Taking Flight Toward Innovation: Recap of the SustAInable Aviation Student Innovation Challenge 

On March 21, five exceptional student teams from across Québec came together to present forward-thinking AI solutions to tackle some of the aerospace industry’s most pressing sustainability challenges at the SustAInable Aviation Future Talent Challenge. 

The challenge – presented by TECHNATION and member company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in partnership with Bombardier – culminated in a powerful in-person event hosted at Bombardier’s headquarters in Montréal. This initiative empowered students to propose solutions where artificial intelligence meets sustainability, addressing real-world issues in aviation maintenance, supply chain management, and energy efficiency. 

The challenge launched in January, with over 95 students from 13 institutions engaging in workshops, mentorship, and collaborative innovation over 10 weeks. Five finalist teams earned their spot at the finale, where they pitched their concepts to a jury of industry leaders. 

Words That Set the Tone 

Angela Mondou, President and CEO of TECHNATION, opened the event by sharing her personal journey from the Air Force to leading innovation in Canada’s tech sector, reminding students of their incredible potential: 

« We are standing at the front of the most exciting time in the world of tech. You are the future of Canada. You’re the future of technology. » 

She also emphasized the broader impact of AI: 

« AI has incredible productivity, but it also has a big impact on energy. This is why challenges like today are incredibly important. » 

In a fireside chat with Brigitte Larivière, Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Bombardier and David Murray, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing, IT and Bombardier Operational Excellence System, David highlighted the company’s billion-dollar investment in technology transformation: 

« We have a golden opportunity at Bombardier to change the game. Over the next five years, we’ll be investing over a billion dollars in IT and technology. » 

The Winners: Top 3 Teams 

🥇 1st Place – Team TASBRAIN 

TASBRAIN tackled a common yet complex industry challenge: selecting the right suppliers. Their AI solution used graph-based analysis to intelligently interpret contracts not just through keywords, but by understanding relationships, ESG alignment, and operational efficiency. 

« We’re not just matching keywords. We’re analyzing relationships like a handshake between needs and offers to find the right supplier aligned with Bombardier’s ESG goals. » 

🥈 2nd Place – Team Sustain Aero Predict 

This team focused on optimizing predictive maintenance. By analyzing real-time flight data, they proposed a system to anticipate part failures before scheduled inspections, reducing unnecessary maintenance and improving sustainability. 

« Failures don’t follow a calendar. With predictive maintenance, we can maximize aircraft uptime while reducing waste and cost. » 

🥉 3rd Place – Team AeroNova 

AeroNova leveraged neural networks to model material fatigue and recommend optimal replacement timelines for components like engine mounts. Their solution could result in $40,000 in savings per aircraft annually, while reducing downtime for fleet operators. 

« For private jet clients, time is more valuable than money. Our system ensures they don’t miss a single big moment. » 

Honourable Mentions 

• Team PLANET proposed on predicting the future locations of private jets in order to send maintenance parts in advance – by ship rather than by plane – with the goal of enabling more sustainable logistics.

• Team Ecogen AI developed a predictive maintenance solution using computer vision, acoustic analysis, and LLMs to detect aircraft faults, streamline repairs, and support sustainable aviation.

Closing the Day on a High Note 

Soumen Roy, Executive Director of TCS Canada, spoke on behalf of the jury: 

« You don’t seem like college students—you presented like professionals with 20 years in the industry. Tomorrow’s world is your world, and I’m so glad you chose to solve real problems. » 

And in the spirit of the International Day of Happiness, Brigitte Larivière closed with a heartwarming reminder: 

« You’re all winners in the end. We know we’re going to see you in the industry. You all have such a bright future. » 

Thank You 

This transformative, innovative initiative was made possible through the support of TCS, Bombardier, and the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program. 

To our partners, mentors, juries, and brilliant student innovators: thank you. 

TECHNATION Career Ready’s Future Talent Challenges connect our members with the brightest future talent to address real-world business challenges and drive innovation. 

Partner with us on Student Innovation Challenges that align with your business needs here.