airtecomman midterms

Airline Scheduling

• One of the primary products of an airline and a leading factor in a passenger’s choice of carrier.

• One of the most difficult jobs in an airline and as important as forecasting, pricing, fleet planning, or financing.

• A schedule can make or break an airline.

• The goal is to balance adequate service and economic strength.

The Major Internal and External Factors That Affect the Scheduling Process

1. Maintenance Efficiency Goals

2. Flight-Operations Factors in Schedule Planning

3. Facility Constraints

Role of the Scheduling Department in Developing and Coordinating the Schedule Planning Process

• All productive resources (planes, personnel, facilities) must operate the schedule safely and dependably.

• All selling resources (ticket offices, sales reps) must attract passengers and cargo.

• The schedule planner must balance conflicting objectives to create an optimal schedule.

1. Traffic Flow

• Number of originating and connecting passengers varies based on geography, route structure, and competition.

1. Schedule Salability

• Even a 15-minute change in departure time can affect demand.

• Schedule convenience is critical in a passenger’s airline choice.

1. Schedule Adjustments

• A tightly woven schedule structure means changes affect multiple flights.

• Factors: Time zones, station personnel, equipment turnaround time, chain reaction effects.

1. Load-Factor Leverage

• Airlines produce available seat-miles, but only sell occupied seats.

• A small shift in load factor can turn a money loser into a profitable trip.

1. Traffic Flow

2. Schedule Salability

3. Schedule Adjustments

4. Load-Factor Leverage

Unique Problems Facing Schedulers

1. Skip-Stop

2. Local-Service

3. Cross-Connections (Hub and Spoke)

4. Nonstops

Four Basic Schedule Types

1. Skip-Stop

• Flights skip some intermediate stops to reduce travel time.

• Pro: Faster service to some cities.

• Con: No service between consecutive stations.

1. Local-Service

• Short-range aircraft stop at all points and connect with long-range aircraft.

• Pro: Provides direct connections between small cities and main hubs.

• Con: Requires a change of planes.

1. Cross-Connections (Hub and Spoke)

• Flights from multiple cities connect at a hub airport before continuing to final destinations.

• Pro: Efficient use of aircraft.

• Con: Possible long layovers.

1. Nonstops

• Direct flights between two points without intermediate stops.

• Pro: Fastest travel time.

• Con: No service for intermediate stations.