The Baggage Belt Assignment Problem

We consider the problem of assigning flights to baggage belts in the baggage reclaim area of an airport. The problem is originated by a real-life application in Copenhagen airport. The objective is to construct a robust schedule taking passenger and airline preferences into account. We consider a number of business and fairness constraints, avoiding congestions, and ensuring a good passenger flow. Robustness of the solutions is achieved by matching the delivery time with the expected arrival time of passengers, and by adding buffer time between two flights scheduled on the same belt. We denote this problem as the Baggage Belt Assignment Problem (BBAP). We first derive a general Integer Linear Programming (ILP) formulation for the problem. Then, we propose a Branch-and-Price (B&P) algorithm based on a reformulation of the ILP model tackled by Column Generation. Our approach relies on an effective dynamic programming algorithm for handling the pricing problems. We tested the proposed algorithm on a set of real-life data from Copenhagen airport as well as on a set of instances inspired by the real data. Our B&P scheme outperforms a commercial solver launched on the ILP formulation of the problem and is effective in delivering high quality solutions in limited computational times, making it possible its use in daily operations in medium-sized and large airports

A discrete event simulation model for inbound baggage handling

Abstract Inbound baggage handling represents a crucial process among airport terminal's activities as it affects directly airport performance and passengers' service quality perception. It is important to make the inbound process as efficient as possible and to explore solutions to enhance the performance of the system, thus reducing passengers' waiting time at baggage carousels. The aim of this paper is to present a detailed discrete event model of inbound baggage handling at a large regional Italian airport. The simulation model allows to fully understand the whole process and to identify bottlenecks and critical operations. The model is validated by comparing the simulation results with real data

Optimization of Cargo Handling Equipment at the Airport

Delaying an aircraft during ground handling costs the airline a lot of money. In critical situations, it is even possible that some flights have to be canceled due to delays. It is therefore the endeavor of all personnel involved in ground operations that they proceed without delay. This paper shows what methods can be used to optimize the required number of handling equipment and what can affect its number

Airports efficiency evaluation based on MCDA and DEA multidimensional tools

Airport benchmarking depends on airport operational performance and efficiency indicators, which are important issues for business, operational management, regulatory agencies, airlines and passengers. There are several sets of single and complex indicators to evaluate airports efficiency as well as several techniques to benchmark such infrastructures. The general aim of this work is the development of airport performance and efficiency predictive models using robust but flexible methodologies and incorporating simultaneously traditional indicators (number of movements and passengers, tons of cargo, number of runways and stands, area of terminals both of passenger and cargo) as well as new constraints as emerging situations and/or sudden natural phenomenon (ramp accidents and incidents, and volcano ashes and weather constraints, respectively). Firstly this work shows the efficiency evaluation of either a set of airports or the same airport along several years and under several constraints based on two multidimensional tools, Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA, particularly through Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique - MACBETH) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Secondly this work compares the obtained results using both MACBETH and DEA evidencing pros and cons of each multidimensional tool and searching for the best conditions to apply one or the other within airport management decision processes

Application of RFID in Aviation Industry: An Exploratory Review

Recently, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has received considerable attention and is considered to be the next wave of information technology revolution. The number of RFID applications in different industries is increasing continuously. Cumulative sales of RFID tag is up in 2006 which shows RFID adoption trend in industries to improve their efficiency of operations and to gain a competitive advantage. In the aviation industry, major airports, airlines have been also planning the RFID adoption in baggage handling and customer services areas for a long time. Many pilot tests have been performed at various airports and RFID tags were found to be far more precise along with better performance than bar codes. This paper provides a review on RFID systems, associated technology, advantages, limitations and applications in various fields. Further, this paper reports the preliminary review of state of RFID adoption planning, architecture and implementation plan in a major airline, focusing on improved baggage handling, increased airport/airline security and customer services. KEYWORDS: aviation, airline, baggage handling, customer-service, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID

Пасажирське крісло ближньо-магістрального літака

Робота публікується згідно наказу Ректора НАУ від 27.05.2021 р. №311/од "Про розміщення кваліфікаційних робіт здобувачів вищої освіти в репозиторії університету". Керівник роботи: доцент, к.т.н. Маслак Тетяна ПетрівнаDiploma work is devoted to the development of a passenger seat design for a short-range aircraft for international airlines according to the stendarts of flights, safe, effective and reliable possibilities of carrying passengers, and development of mechanism to improve the safety of passengers in emergency situation. The practical value of the master's degree work is the increase of emergency reliability and safety of passengers on board, their comfortable accommodation in the passenger compartment. The materials of the master's diploma could be useful for the educational study and it could be implemented in the aviation industry – airliners, manufacturers of passenger seats.Дипломна робота присвячена розробці аванпроекту ближньомагістрального пасажирського літака для авіакомпаній, які відповідають міжнародним стандартам польотів, безпечним, ефективним та надійним можливостям перевезення пасажирів, а також розробці механізмів безпеки пасажирів у надзвичайних ситуаціях. Практичне значення результатів магістерської роботи полягає у підвищенні аварійної надійності та безпеки пасажирів на борту літака, їх комфортного розміщення в салоні. Матеріали магістерської роботи можуть бути використані в навчальному процесі та практичній діяльності конструкторів професійних проектних установ