Google has emerged as the winning bidder for Spirit Airlines’ business data and software code in a bankruptcy auction, paying $10 million for a trove of information that could help improve its artificial intelligence models.

According to an August 14 court filing, the assets include data from Spirit’s finance and accounting, operations, and revenue management systems. The acquisition gives Google access to a vast array of operational and commercial data from the low-cost carrier.

The purchase includes roughly 3.4 million payroll records, 100 million emails, and 80,000 email accounts, along with employee data dating back to 1986. This historical data could provide valuable insights into workforce trends and corporate operations over decades.

Google will also gain access to Spirit’s pricing models, booking curves, and flight behavior data. These elements are particularly valuable for understanding how airlines set fares and how passengers respond to pricing changes.

Additionally, the deal includes inflight purchase and Wi-Fi sales records, refund histories, and travel package information. This data could help Google refine its travel-related AI products and services, offering more personalized and accurate recommendations.

The acquisition highlights the growing importance of proprietary data in the development of AI systems. By leveraging Spirit’s extensive datasets, Google aims to enhance its AI models with real-world business and travel insights.

While the sale of data in bankruptcy proceedings is not uncommon, the scale and nature of this acquisition underscore the value of operational data in the tech industry. For travelers, this could eventually translate into smarter, more intuitive travel planning tools powered by AI.

As Google integrates Spirit’s data into its systems, the travel industry will be watching closely to see how this information shapes future innovations. The move also raises questions about data privacy and the ethical use of employee and customer information in AI training.

For now, the deal marks a significant step in the intersection of aviation and technology, with Google positioning itself to leverage decades of airline data to advance its AI capabilities.