Brazil’s Embraer and D-Wave Partner to Pioneer Quantum Cargo Routing Across South America

Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer has unveiled a landmark partnership with Canadian quantum computing pioneer D-Wave to explore the application of quantum optimization algorithms for regional cargo flight routing across South America. The two-year pilot program seeks to revolutionize air cargo logistics by boosting efficiency, cutting emissions, and enabling supply chains to remain responsive in volatile environments.

The project will begin with large-scale simulations of more than 1,000 cargo flight scenarios across Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Argentina. Leveraging D-Wave’s Advantage quantum annealer and hybrid solver platform, the simulations will evaluate routing strategies that account for real-world complexities such as unpredictable Amazonian weather, air traffic control limitations, airport scheduling constraints, and fluctuating fuel consumption metrics.

Camila Torres, Embraer’s Head of Advanced Systems, highlighted the broader vision:
“Quantum computing gives us the ability to reimagine regional cargo—not only lowering costs but unlocking more dynamic, responsive supply chains for remote and underserved regions.”

Supported by Brazil’s Innovation in Aviation Program, the initiative aligns with the country’s push to digitize aerospace operations while reducing aviation’s carbon footprint. Traditional classical optimization struggles with aviation’s combinatorial complexity—balancing variables like crew schedules, altitude profiles, payload weight, and refueling strategies. Quantum annealing thrives in these environments, simultaneously exploring thousands of possibilities to deliver superior solutions in a fraction of the time.

For example, optimizing a single route from Manaus to Santiago involves countless permutations influenced by airspace restrictions, cargo balancing, and weather disruptions. Quantum solvers can reduce optimization time from hours to seconds, making near real-time adaptation possible. This capability is particularly vital in the Amazon basin, where weather volatility and limited infrastructure create logistical bottlenecks that affect both commercial trade and humanitarian aid.

The pilot’s early focus includes dynamically optimizing payload distribution and fuel planning, enabling cargo aircraft to adjust mid-operation to sudden variables such as runway flooding or emergency cargo demand. Preliminary simulations suggest up to 17% reductions in redundant flight paths and 22% improvements in load balancing, with potential fuel savings of 15–20% across select routes.

Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave, noted:
“When you’re working with problems that involve 10,000 interconnected variables, classical systems hit a wall. Our quantum solvers thrive in that complexity. Aviation logistics in South America is exactly the kind of challenge quantum technology was designed for.”

The partnership also includes contributions from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research, which will provide satellite weather data, and several universities tasked with evaluating carbon reductions, operational resilience, and economic impact. If the results meet projections, the Brazilian government may introduce incentive programs for airlines adopting quantum-enhanced routing.

Performance benchmarks are expected by Q3 2025, with a transition to live test flights in 2026 using Embraer’s E-Jet freighter fleet between São Paulo, Santiago, and regional hubs. By 2027, the goal is to scale the system beyond South America, targeting other complex geographies such as Southeast Asia and Africa.

If successful, the Embraer–D-Wave initiative will represent one of the first large-scale aviation deployments of quantum optimization, positioning South America as a global leader in aerospace digitization. By combining Embraer’s aviation expertise with D-Wave’s computational innovation, the project could redefine regional air cargo—achieving sustainability, efficiency, and resilience in one of the world’s most challenging logistics environments.