This dissertation aims at improving the efficiency, robustness, and flexibility of airport operations through intelligent gate assignment. Traditional research on gate assignment focuses on the accommodation of passengers' demands such as walking time of passengers, and the robustness of gate assignment. In spite of its importance on the ramp operations, there is a lack of research to account ramp congestion when gates are assigned. Therefore, this dissertation proposes a new perspective on the gate assignment that accounts for ramp congestion. For that purpose, a ramp operations model based on observations at Atlanta airport is presented to understand the characteristics of aircraft movement on the ramp. The proposed gate assignment problem minimizes passenger-time spent on ramp areas. In addition, this dissertation is conducted to satisfy the needs of passengers, aircraft, and operations from the perspectives of passengers. Using actual passenger data at a major hub airport, the proposed gate assignment is assessed by means of passengers' transit time, passengers' time spent on the ramp, and passengers' waiting time for a gate. Results show that the proposed gate assignment outperforms the current gate assignment in every metric. This dissertation also analyzes the impact of gate assignment on departure metering, which controls the number of pushbacks in order to reduce airport congestion. Then, some of departing flights are held at gates, so it increases the chance of gate conflict, which reduces the efficiency of departure metering as well as ramp operations. In order to analyze the impact of gate assignment on departure metering, this dissertation simulates departure processes at two airports. Results show that the proposed robust gate assignment reduces the occurrence of gate conflicts under departure metering and helps to utilize gate-holding times to some extent.

The following thesis describes and analyzes the development of the U.S. slot allocation system from 1968 until today, in order to draw relevant conclusions for a new European Slot Regulation. The European Commission is currently drafting a new Slot Regulation purporting to introduce market mechanisms. A similar approach was espoused in the United States from 1986 onward, but was ultimately supplanted by overriding legislation in 2000. The analysis of the U.S. slot allocation system reveals the reasons underlying its abolition and queries whether this experience can be successfully transposed in Europe. The thesis commences by providing general information on the definition of slots, slot allocation, and airport capacity. A brief review of the European Commission's current consultation process on the implementation of market mechanisms for slot allocation follows. The main part of the thesis discusses the U.S. High Density Rule and the Rules for the Allocation and Transfer of High Density Airport Slots in historical order. Some criticisms frequently voiced assert that the Rules artificially limited access to airports, constituted barriers to market entry, restricted airline competition, generated higher fares, and yielded adverse effects on smaller communities which, in turn, lost access to key markets. Through a favorable assessment of the Rules, the thesis analyses these concerns and concludes that the suppression of the Rules was rather prompted by local political motivations than by other rationalities. However, experiences drawn from the U.S. Rules demonstrate that a future European secondary market for slots, if implemented under a grand fathering system, will likely have a positive impact on the efficiency of airport capacity, but not on access to the market and competition.

Darbo tikslas: Įvertinti skrydžių saugumą Tarptautiniame Kauno oro uoste. Darbo objektas: Skrydžių saugumas. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Atskleisti logistikos, keleivių vežimų, skrydžių saugumo teorinę esmę. 2. Pristatyti Tarptautinį Kauno oro uostą ir skrydžių saugumo vykdymą. 3. Ištirti skrydžių saugumo sukeliamą poveikį keliautojui. Išvados: 1. Logistika – sistema, kurią sudaro tarpusavyje susiję elementai – logistikos grandys. Transporto logistika yra viena svarbiausių logistikos sistemos grandžių. Nuo transporto pasirinkimo rūšies priklauso galutinė produkto kaina. Transportavimo rūšys: sausumos, oro, vandens, geležinkelių ir vamzdynų. Oro transportui yra būdinga: greitis dideliais atstumais; nedidelė krovinių apimtis; aukštos kainos; dažnis. Aviacijos saugumas yra priemonių ir žmogiškųjų bei materialinių išteklių visuma, skirta apsaugoti civilinę aviaciją nuo neteisėtų veikų. 2. Tarptautinis Kauno oro uostas, 2010 m. sparčiausiai augęs Europoje, 9 metus iš eilės nuosekliai didinęs aptarnaujamų keleivių skaičių, geografiškai patrauklus kaimyninėms šalims, perspektyvus investicijoms ne tik Lietuvos ekonomikos rinkos dalyviams, bet ir užsienio kapitalo įmonėms. Finansinių poreikių pasikeitimai skrydžių saugume įtakoja poreikį oro uostui didinti pajamas, kas lemia būtinybę didinti pajamas ir aviakompanijoms, kurios tai pasiekia didindamos bilietų kainas. Taip pat tinkamas saugumo užtikrinimas yra būtinas, kadangi incidentai aviacijos srityje sulaukia pasaulinio atgarsio ir tam... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Goal: To evaluate flight security at International Kaunas Airport Object: Flight security Main objectives: 1. To disclose logistics, passenger transportation and flight security theoretical essence. 2. To present International Kaunas airport and flight security prosecution. 3. To investigate flight security influence to passenger. Findings: 1. Logistics – system, which is consisted of interrelated elements – logistic chains. Transport logistics is one of the most important chains in the logistics. The choice of transportation influences final product cost. Transport types: land, air, water, rail and pipeline. Air transport is a characterized by speed, small volume, high prices. The choice of air transport: speed, security, frequency. Aviation security – tools, human and material resources intended to safeguard civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference. 2. International Kaunas airport – airport with highest growing rate in 2010, 9 years in a row increasing passenger flows, with geographical attractiveness for neighbor countries, with perspective for native and foreign investitures. Change of financial needs in flight security affects need to increase airport revenues, which will result in the need to increase revenue to airlines, which is achieved by increasing ticket prices. Assurance of security is necessary, because incidents in the field of aviation attracts eyes of the world and at the certain period of time determines choice of travel transport and have a... [to full text]

Thesis (DDes) - Faculty of Design, Swinburne University of Technology, 2008. / Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Professional Doctorate in Design, National Institute for Design Research, Faculty of Design, Swinburne University of Technology - 2008. Typescript. Submitted in partial fulfilment of the degree of Doctor of Design, Faculty of Design, Swinburne University of Technology, 2008. "June 2008". Bibliography: p. 137-147.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-108).

D’importants efforts sont faits actuellement pour améliorer la navigation aéroportuaire, notamment grâce au concept A-SMGCS (Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System). Le but étant de pouvoir naviguer par tout temps, en particulier en condition de mauvaise visibilité. Un état de l’art des fonctions actuellement disponibles ainsi que des fonctions envisagées pour aider les pilotes sont présentés dans cette thèse. Le cœur du problème pour développer de nouvelles fonctionnalités pour la navigation aéroportuaire est de fournir une position estimée de l’avion avec un haut niveau de précision et d’intégrité. Généralement, cette position est calculée à partir du GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) et elle est parfois hybridée avec de l’inertie. La précision actuelle de la position estimée de l’avion est de l’ordre de la dizaine de mètres et son intégrité est caractérisée par un rayon de protection à 10-7/h de l’ordre de la centaine de mètre. Ce niveau de précision et d’intégrité n’est pas suffisant pour naviguer à la surface de l’aéroport en mauvaise condition de visibilité. Une précision sub-métrique associée à une intégrité métrique est requise (voir chapitre II de la thèse) pour naviguer en toute sécurité, en particulier à la porte d’embarquement où l’avion doit se garer. Dans un premier temps, les besoins pour naviguer en toute sécurité à la surface de l’aéroport ont été analysés afin de pouvoir en dériver des exigences sur la navigation. Les différents capteurs et moyens envisageables pour estimer la position de l’avion avec le niveau de précision requis sont introduits ainsi que leurs modèles d’erreur. Les résultats des simulations sont présentés dans le dernier chapitre. / Important effort is being undertaken to design new A-SMGCS (Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System) architecture and functions that will enable an efficient and safe management of the traffic on the surface of the airport, in all weather conditions. The state of the art in airport navigation, with the current functions available to assist pilots, and also the additional applications envisaged to improve the airport navigation in low visibility condition is introduced. To develop new airport navigation functionalities, the heart of the problem is to provide an aircraft position estimate with a high level of accuracy and integrity. This position is often provided by GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and sometimes it is hybridize with inertia. The current aircraft position estimate accuracy is about dozen meters and the integrity is characterized by a protection level about hundred meters at 10-7/h. This current accuracy and integrity are not sufficient no navigate safely on the airport surface in low visibility conditions. A submetric accuracy with a high integrity level is required (see chapter II), particularly at the gate to park the aircraft. First of all, needs to navigate safely on the airport surface have been analyzed to be able to derive requirements about navigation system. It is important to note that a good knowledge of the context (airport environment) is required to develop an appropriate application. After this analysis of needs and context, a solution has been developed in this thesis. The proposed solution has been validated by simulation.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal a avaliação de qualidade dos serviços aeroportuários considerando a perspectiva das Companhias Aéreas. Para tanto, o trabalho visa: (i) propor um modelo baseado em atributos de qualidade para os serviços prestados pelos gestores dos aeroportos às Companhias Aéreas; (ii) realizar a implementação desse Modelo para a avaliação da qualidade de ditos serviços; e (iii) avaliar a qualidade dos serviços oferecidos tanto para passageiros quanto para Companhias Aéreas. Assim, dois Modelos são propostos e aplicados, o primeiro com foco em Companhias Aéreas e o segundo que integra as perspectivas delas e dos passageiros, com relação aos serviços comuns. A construção dos Modelos foi baseada na revisão da literatura e no conhecimento de especialistas dos setores de aeroportos e serviços. A implementação dos modelos foi realizada em dois Aeroportos da América do Sul, um no Brasil e outro na Colômbia, abrangendo os pontos de vista dos atores: Gestores de Aeroporto, Companhias Aéreas e passageiros. Assim, foi possível analisar os aspectos que esses atores valorizam, sua percepção sobre a qualidade e, ainda, proceder a uma análise de gaps. A inclusão do ponto de vista das Companhias Aéreas na avaliação da qualidade dos aeroportos representa uma contribuição à literatura, devido à pouca quantidade de trabalhos sobre o assunto e a importância dos aeroportos atenderem esses clientes. Na prática, os modelos apresentados podem ser usados pelos gestores dos aeroportos como ferramentas para a avaliação de seus serviços, análise do conflito de interesses, integração das perspectivas de passageiros e Companhias Aéreas, e identificação de oportunidades de melhoria. / This paper aims to evaluate the quality of airport services considering the Airlines perspective. Thus, this paper intends to: (i) propose a Quality Attributes-based model for services provided by the Airport operator to airlines; (ii) implement a model for the quality evaluation of those services; and (iii) evaluate the quality of the services provided to passengers and airlines. Two models were proposed and implemented, the first had a focus on airlines and the second integrated the perspectives of airlines and passengers in respect of common services. The models were built based in the literature review and the knowledge of airport and services experts. The implementation of these models was done in two South America airports, one in Brazil and other in Colombia, comprising the point of view of airport managers, airlines and passengers. Consequently, it was possible to analyze the items they value, their perception about quality attributes and also to conduct a Gaps analysis. The inclusion of airline’s point of view in the airport quality assessment represents a contribution to the literature, due to the small amount of papers on the subject and the relevance of these clients. In practice, the proposed models can be used by airport managers for assessing their services, analyzing the conflict interests and the integration between the passengers and airlines perspectives; and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal a avaliação de qualidade dos serviços aeroportuários considerando a perspectiva das Companhias Aéreas. Para tanto, o trabalho visa: (i) propor um modelo baseado em atributos de qualidade para os serviços prestados pelos gestores dos aeroportos às Companhias Aéreas; (ii) realizar a implementação desse Modelo para a avaliação da qualidade de ditos serviços; e (iii) avaliar a qualidade dos serviços oferecidos tanto para passageiros quanto para Companhias Aéreas. Assim, dois Modelos são propostos e aplicados, o primeiro com foco em Companhias Aéreas e o segundo que integra as perspectivas delas e dos passageiros, com relação aos serviços comuns. A construção dos Modelos foi baseada na revisão da literatura e no conhecimento de especialistas dos setores de aeroportos e serviços. A implementação dos modelos foi realizada em dois Aeroportos da América do Sul, um no Brasil e outro na Colômbia, abrangendo os pontos de vista dos atores: Gestores de Aeroporto, Companhias Aéreas e passageiros. Assim, foi possível analisar os aspectos que esses atores valorizam, sua percepção sobre a qualidade e, ainda, proceder a uma análise de gaps. A inclusão do ponto de vista das Companhias Aéreas na avaliação da qualidade dos aeroportos representa uma contribuição à literatura, devido à pouca quantidade de trabalhos sobre o assunto e a importância dos aeroportos atenderem esses clientes. Na prática, os modelos apresentados podem ser usados pelos gestores dos aeroportos como ferramentas para a avaliação de seus serviços, análise do conflito de interesses, integração das perspectivas de passageiros e Companhias Aéreas, e identificação de oportunidades de melhoria. / This paper aims to evaluate the quality of airport services considering the Airlines perspective. Thus, this paper intends to: (i) propose a Quality Attributes-based model for services provided by the Airport operator to airlines; (ii) implement a model for the quality evaluation of those services; and (iii) evaluate the quality of the services provided to passengers and airlines. Two models were proposed and implemented, the first had a focus on airlines and the second integrated the perspectives of airlines and passengers in respect of common services. The models were built based in the literature review and the knowledge of airport and services experts. The implementation of these models was done in two South America airports, one in Brazil and other in Colombia, comprising the point of view of airport managers, airlines and passengers. Consequently, it was possible to analyze the items they value, their perception about quality attributes and also to conduct a Gaps analysis. The inclusion of airline’s point of view in the airport quality assessment represents a contribution to the literature, due to the small amount of papers on the subject and the relevance of these clients. In practice, the proposed models can be used by airport managers for assessing their services, analyzing the conflict interests and the integration between the passengers and airlines perspectives; and identifying opportunities for improvement.

The continuing growth in aviation has meant that the 35 largest airports in Europe reached saturation in 2005. The consequences have been increasing air traffic congestion, delays and associated costs. There is therefore a clear need to create more capacity. However, airports in particular and the air transport system in general are also subject to sudden fluctuations in demand and capacity. This research synthesizes the mechanisms of airport capacity fluctuations through the analytical formulation of concepts of capacity dynamics, capacity elasticities and capacity stability. It demonstrates the usability of these concepts through, firstly, a case study application to Brussels National Airport and, secondly, the development of a 'proof of concept' decision-support tool for strategic and tactical airport planning. Capacity dynamics and elasticities provide a performance indication as to how quickly capacity is able to change in response to fluctuations brought about by one or more capacity disrupters, whilst capacity stability provides airport planners with a measure of capacity robustness. These three concepts - capacity dynamics, elasticities and stability - contribute to a better a priori understanding of the airport system to be modelled. They demonstrate a better quantification of the impact and sensitivity of all the factors that affect runway capacity. It is also shown how the three concepts can assist in a better quantification of the risk of potential capacity fluctuation within the scope of airport planning. Based on this analytical formulation and quantification, mitigation should be an integral part of any effective airport plan in order to predict better the response to any given potential capacity degradation. It has been found that, from a capacity perspective, an airport becomes less stable the higher its level of performance. This capacity/stability paradox enables the ultimate goal of investment in capacity enhancement to be challenged, and it is legitimately questioned whether a similar investment would not be more worthwhile at secondary airports rather than at major airports.

Market research is becoming an increasingly important part of an airport's operational strategies as airport managers try to increase customer service and reach operational goals. This research applies conjoint analysis to investigate customer preferences for parking facilities and services at a major Canadian airport. This research will define and determine the relative importance of a set of attributes which influence business travelers' parking choice at the Vancouver International Airport. In addition, market segments for parking services will be identified. Sawtooth Software's Adaptive Conjoint Analysis and Ci2 were used in this study. A questionnaire was administered to a 36 employees among three local companies selected for data collection. Employees of these three companies represented potential local business travelers. This study was limited to the investigation of a subset of traveler (i.e. business traveler) preferences for parking at the Vancouver International Airport. More complete analysis would have to replicate the data collection procedures and target different users under different conditions (i.e. time of day, time of year, duration of stay). Results of the conjoint analysis indicated that price and distance to the terminal building account about equally for the majority of business travelers parking preference ratings (approximately two-thirds). The provision of video camera security was also an important determinant of customer preference. The provision of electronic signage providing guidance to available parking spaces did not contribute significantly to customer preference. In addition, the provision of a parkade rather than a surface lot contributed little to customer preference. Market share estimates were calculated for YVR's proposed Parkade, Main and Economy parking lots. Estimates of market shares suggested that a majority of business travelers taking an overnight journey in August preferred to park in the YVR Parkade. Market share estimates were also calculated for various service alternatives in the parkade. Comparing these additional estimates with the base service option revealed the trade-offs that business travelers were likely to make. Results anticipated approximately a 60 percent market share for the proposed parkade service despite charging a higher price ($6 per day higher than the alternative parking lots). Market share estimates predicted that the provision of video camera security and electronic signage in the parkade was significant in enabling a higher price. The predicted market share falls substantially to 28 percent if security and signage are not provided. Results also suggested that more travelers were willing to pay extra for the provision of video camera security than electronic signage in the parkade. / Business, Sauder School of / Operations and Logistics (OPLOG), Division of / Graduate