Investigation into the Hub-and-Spoke model using brand and frequent-flyer program

Purpose: This paper seeks to understand if customer acceptance on flying through a hub has changed today, compared to the findings from past research conducted many years ago. The study involves investigations of Singapore Airlines, a successful FSC in terms of its ability to generate sustainable profits for many consecutive years as reflected in its annual financial reports. The carrier also has a strong corporate brand, a world-class airport hub as well as a frequent flyer program, which makes it attractive to explore. Design/methodology/approach: The survey method is utilized in order to seek the answers to the three questions developed in the literature review. Descriptive statistics are employed to analyze 723 datasets using SPSS v20. Findings: Although the paper shows that some findings resonated past arguments, some others have changed. Brand has no longer become a significant factor for passengers when deciding to travel with a full-service carrier (FSC) via its hub, and an FFP that is likely to hold less compelling attractiveness with passengers with regard to purchasing consideration.Research limitations/implications: The research involved only passengers traveling two routes in Southeast Asia, therefore the generalization of the findings must be carried out with caution. Future studies to extend this research to different geographical markets are necessary to investigate if similar behaviours are also observed, as described in this study.Originality/value: This paper offers insights into in the hub-and-spoke airline business model discipline. The author suggests that the role of strong brands and frequent flyer program to attract passengers travelling via a hub have diminished. Nowadays, even FSC passengers are more concern with airfare.

Artificial Intelligence potential within airlines: a review on how AI can enhance strategic decision-making in times of COVID-19

Purpose: Airline strategy relies on the competitive environment analysis and the management of resources. Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms are being increasingly deployed throughout several industries. COVID-19 has further stressed a sector where firms have historically struggled to sustain profitability.The purpose is to explore the potential of AI applications regarding strategic decision-making in airlines in times of crisis and to depict a roadmap to encourage scholars and practitioners to jointly implement these tools within corporations.Design/methodology/approach: This study firstly reviews the state-of-the-art regarding transport organization trends with focus on airline strategy and finance as well as AI tools, supported by the collaboration of a former airline digitalization strategist. Secondly, the potential of the latter to be applied in those functions is analyzed, considering different Machine Learning (ML) methods and algorithms.Findings: Some applications or pathways are identified as of particular interest for the airlines’ strategic decision-making process. Most of them are based on ML algorithms and training methods that are currently underused or disregarded in certain business areas, such as Neural Network models for unsupervised market analysis or supervised cost estimation.Research limitations/implications: Focus is on airline strategy and finance, keeping engineering or operational applications out of the scope.Practical implications: Proposed guidance may promote the deployment of AI tools which currently lack practical implementation in certain business areas.Social implications: Showcased guidance may revert into a closer collaboration between business and academia.Originality/value: Comprehensive review of current airlines’ strategic levers and identification of promising AI pathways to be further explored.

Applying airport centrality as an operational continuity indicator

The research aims to propose a methodology to estimate the reliability of the Brazilian airport network (domestic passenger traffic), based on the centrality of airports (Network Theory). The applied methodologies are related to Network Theory, a branch of Graph Theory, and reliability. Reliability is associated with the good functioning of a product or system, the absence of breaks or failures in each period and the environmental conditions of use of the item. The data used refer to the period 2000-2018 and were obtained from the sector's regulatory body in Brazil. The study allows to estimate the reliability of the airport network, based on the centrality of airports (Network Theory). The results allow airports to be classified into three groups: adequate context, worrying context and critical context, thus signalling airports that may stop operating regular domestic traffic. The study does not aim to overlap or replace conventional analyses, recognized by the results, and applied over time. However, to present a new tool that allows the monitoring and preliminary analysis of airport networks, mainly domestic and regional networks, signalling to airport operators, regulators, and airlines the need for intervention (measures to reverse the trend) in the network, thus allowing, economic development and equitable access to all regions.

The impact of cognitive fatigue on airline pilots performance

Purpose: Air transport is a highly regulated branch of aviation, but it continues to show occurrences where human error is present. Fatigue is now recognized as a hazard which degrades human performance and can put flight safety at risk. In this regard, the general objective of this study is to assess the impact of cognitive fatigue on airline pilots and how it can contribute to the occurrence of accidents and incidents.Methodology: Three airline pilots participated in the case study. The participants’ cognitive fatigue was monitored according to four methods, being two of them of a subjective nature – the sleep diary (SD) and the Samn-Perelli 7-Point Fatigue Scale (SPS), and the other two of an objective nature – the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) and the actigraphy (actiwatch ReadibandTM 5). During their flight duty periods (FDPs), the pilots’ performance was also assessed according to the score delivered by a fatigue management software (FAID®).Findings: The obtained results allowed to understand whether the pilots are aware of their alertness and to identify factors which affect their performance levels. Between the beginning and the end of each FDP, significant changes were observed concerning the assessment on the SPS scale, the reaction time (RT) and the fatigue score generated by the biomathematical models associated to the technique of the actigraphy and the software FAID®.Originality/value: The risk of accident or serious error was classified according to the four methodologies used. Thus, it is possible to verify if there is a correspondence between the different scales or if there are scales more conservative (with a higher associated risk) than others.

Management of urban air logistics with unmanned aerial vehicles: The case of medicine supply in Aveiro, Portugal

Purpose: This research aims to investigate the relation between urban logistics and all delivery systems used. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and the unmanned aerial system (UAS) have been under investigation in the world of logistics, having been pointed as the next logistic technology. For that reason, this article proposes the use of UAV in urban logistics.Design/methodology/approach: We set for the methodology study the current state of this system and analyze what lies ahead soon. Based on this information, we intend to implement a scenario of deliveries in an urban environment. This scenario will be in the city of Aveiro and consists of the delivery of medicines into pharmacies located in an urban environment. With this study, we pretend to find the best current and future solution to operate in an urban environment, with the conventional vehicle or the UAV/UAS.Findings: The legal implications for the use of UAV/UAS are one important factor that can set back the use of these technologies due to the lack of legislation. Although this technology has some limitations in endurance and payload, this investigation reached a consensus in the use of UAV for logistics in urban areas, in small payloads (around 15 kg), and low endurance (around 25 min). The UAV/UAS brings excellent advantages that the conventional vehicle cannot overcome: direct routes; traffic congestion; and environmental legislation.Practical implications: This study brings an overview of a possible scenario for urban logistics. Although this is currently not possible, soon, this scenario could be implemented. This would bring a reduction in operation costs and reduce the congestion in the urban cores of the cities.Originality/value: Based on this research, this delivery system could, in the future, help and be the starting point for UAV/UAS logistics, specifically in the delivery of medicines.

A comparative study between ILS and GBAS approaches: The case of Viseu airfield

Purpose: The article aims to show the viability of installing a precision-based approach system in Viseu airfield, in Portugal. This work looks to evidence to what extent the implementation of ILS (Instrument Landing System) or GBAS (Ground Based Augmentation System) in the airfield is viable, and which of the two would be the better option for this case, from a technical and economic view and as a way to increase safety levels.Design/methodology/approach: The article analyses the airfield’s evolution over time and forecasts its movements for the future, over a 10-year period, by utilising two different models: multiple linear regression and IATA traffic forecasts. The different types of airfield taxes were also reviewed and their values were estimated for the following years. The equipment’s technical aspects and individual prices were analysed to accurately determine the time needed for the airfield to recover the investment done, allied with an 80% funding European project.Findings: Approach systems are being modernized, and throughout the years more airports and airfields are starting to replace old approach systems for satellite-based new ones. When compared to ILS, GBAS offers more advantages at a technical and economic level, and even for smaller airfields with a low traffic volume, sometimes it can be technically and economically possible to have such systems implemented.Originality/value: Studies about the implementation of new radio aids are usually prepared for big airports by airport operators or ANSPs before major investment projects. However, for most small regional airports in the country, where traffic is not near as big, such studies don’t exist, and for that reason, investigating the possibility of installing such kind of equipment is very important, especially taking into consideration the safety they provide and other benefits that naturally come up with it.

Post COVID-19 precautions management in small-scale airports: Evaluation of check-in process in Erkilet airport by simulation

Purpose: The number of passengers, luggage, and cargo served at the airports increases at certain times due to flight density (peak hours). Due to the long queues at check-in desk during peak hours, there may be delays in flight operation processes. In addition, it is estimated that check-in queue times will increase even more in accordance with Covid-19 social distance rules.The aim of the study is to calculate the possible effects of Covid-19 measures on check-in queues at small-scale airports. For this purpose, the number of check-in desks that should be opened at peak hours was evaluated by simulation method at Erkilet airport.Design/methodology/approach: In the first part of the study, the effects of Covid-19 measures on the aviation industry and airport management issues are presented with the literature research. Information about Erkilet airport was collected by using qualitative research method and the intensity experienced during peak hours was simulated in the ARENA-TRIAL simulation program. Two 3D scenarios were prepared, including the pre and past COVID-19 social distance constraints.Findings: In the analysis section of the research, check-in queue times and staff productivity were calculated for both scenarios. In the calculations, comments were made regarding the problems that may occur during the peak hours of the airport within the scope of the check-in desk and COVID-19 social distance constraints. Based on the analysis outputs of the simulation program, recommendations were made for small-scale airports.Originality/value: The effect of COVID-19 on the check-in process in small-scale airports was examined for the first time with simulation method.

An analysis of wildlife strikes to aircraft in Brazil: 2011-2018

Purpose: Aircraft accidents due to wildlife hazards have become a growing safety and economic problem to the Brazilian and international aviation industries. These safety occurrences have resulted in significant direct and indirect economic losses as well injuries and fatalities worldwide. The purpose of this study was to develop empirical information obtained from the analysis of wildlife strike and aircraft operations data in Brazil that could be used for accident prevention efforts.Design/methodology: The research team collected and analyzed aircraft operations as well as wildlife strike data from the 32 busiest commercial airports in Brazil, from 2011 through 2018. Researchers obtained the number of aircraft operations at each of those 32 Brazilian airports from the Brazilian air traffic operations annual reports published by the Air Traffic Control Department. Wildlife strike data from the studied airports were obtained from the Brazilian national wildlife strike database. Descriptive data analysis was adopted to provide an intuitive and overall trend of wildlife strikes at and the 32 busiest commercial airports in Brazil.Findings: Results indicate that the number of wildlife strikes at and around the investigated airports increased 70% even though the number of aircraft operations at these airports declined by 12% during the period studied. Birds were involved in 88% of the reported events. Most reported strikes (59%) and damaging strikes (39%) occurred during the arrival phases-of-flight. Most (33%) strikes were reported by airport personnel. A finding of concern was that the majority of wildlife strikes (97%) and damaging wildlife strikes (96%) occurred within the airport environment.Originality/value: The current project contributes to the safety management of wildlife hazards in Brazil by conducting a comprehensive analysis of wildlife strike and aircraft operations data (2011-2018) in the 32 busiest Brazilian commercial airports.

“Air rage”: A systematic review of research on disruptive airline passenger behaviour 1985-2020

Purpose: Disruptive airline passenger behaviour (DAPB), i.e. “air rage”, has an adverse impact on crew and passenger well-being and is costly to manage and prevent. Given recent changes in airport management, aircraft design, air traffic volume and behavioural norms this review summaries research findings 1985-2020.Methodology: A systematic review of the research literature containing qualitative or quantitative data examining DAPB. Findings: Nineteen articles satisfied the criteria for inclusion. Most studies involved surveys of cabin crew members and to a lesser extent pilots, airline representatives, passengers and business customers. Content primarily focussed on the frequency and characteristics of DAPB, whilst consequences for staff and evaluation of training to manage DAPB was less represented. A paucity of current research was noted which is not in keeping with the changes over the last decade in the aviation industry and the increase in DAPB events.Originality: This study presents a summary of current findings on DAPB.Practical Implications: A better understanding of the environmental, social and psychological factors underlying DAPB and the effectiveness of staff training and interventions that promote a safe travel environment are required.Social Implications: The current industry trend toward sustainability and better management of security challenges must extend its focus to DAPB, in order to reverse the recent trend of social irresponsibility in air travellers.

The evaluation of barrier-free airports for disabled passengers: The example of Erzincan Airport

Purpose: Erzincan Airport, which has the ’Barrier-Free Airport’ certificate, has been evaluated by disabled passengers using the airport area that is mentioned. It is aimed to put forward the existing facilities and the shortcomings, if any, that the disabled passengers can benefit from at the airport together with the solution suggestions with the example of Erzincan Airport, which was granted “Barrier-Free Airport” certificate by GDCA (General Directorate of Civil Aviation) on 13.08.2012.Design/methodology: Within the scope of the study, it is aimed to observe how suitable the areas are for the usage of disabled passengers by examining the areas for disabled passengers at the airport and supporting the examinations with photographs. In the second stage, individuals with disabilities who have used Erzincan Airport were found and asked to conduct interviews with them and explain their experiences in the first hand. In addition to this, it is aimed to have solution suggestions for the studies about how to improve the existing services and by gathering the opinions of the authorized personnel, the opinions of the disabled individuals who have used the airport and the opinions of the researchers.Findings: According to the results of the study, it is seen that Erzincan Airport has many qualities in spite of some deficiencies within the scope of ’Barrier-Free Airport’’. Periodic inspections by the relevant institutions will be beneficial in terms of eliminating the existing deficiencies and using the airport effectively and efficiently. Changes and designs made at the airport should also be evaluated for disabled passengers.Originality/Value: The adequacy of the airports within the scope of the Barrier-Free Airport project can be better analyzed by disabled passengers. Thus, deficiencies and inadequacies can be revealed clearly. The adequacy of Erzincan Airport, which is evaluated by direct disabled passengers, within the scope of Barrier-Free Airports' can be clearly measured.