A Model for aircraft recovery problem

Abstract

In the airline industry, a myriad of uncertain events take place that lead to the disruption of original flight schedules. Such events include mechanical failure, technical challenges, weather changes, airport and crew related issues. Airlines therefore need a robust, dynamic way of recovering their schedules during disruptions in order to remain profitable. In recovery scenarios, aircraft recovery is given the highest priority since aircraft are the scarcest and most utilised resources in the airline. A mathematical model for airline schedule recovery that recovers aircrafts was presented in this study. The model is based on defining a recovery scope once a fleet of aircraft has been disrupted. The model examines the possibility of delaying the flights for a short period, reassigning aircraft, ferrying aircraft and also cancelling flights. The objective of the model is to minimise costs associated with assigning a different aircraft to the disrupted flight leg, delay costs, cancellation costs for business class passengers, cancellation costs for economy class passengers and ground costs. This study uses real time data from Kenya Airways to test the proposed model. A decision support system was then developed and deployed to the Integrated Operations Control Centre in Kenya Airways for use by the duty managers to come up with optimal solutions with the least cost implications to the airline.