Optimization of Airport Capacity Efficiency by Selecting Optimal Aircraft and Airline Business Model

Igor Štimac, Andrija Vidović, Tomislav Mihetec and Miroslav Drljača
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Igor Štimac: Airport Operations and Maintenance Supervision Department, Zagreb Airport Ltd., Rudolfa Fizira 1, 10410 Velika Gorica, Croatia
Andrija Vidović: Department of Air Transport, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, Vukeliceva 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Tomislav Mihetec: Department of Air Transport, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, Vukeliceva 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Miroslav Drljača: Integrated management system and Consulting Department, Zagreb Airport Ltd. Rudolfa Fizira 1, 10410 Velika Gorica, Croatia

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 10, 1-18

Abstract: This paper analyses the impact of airline business models on airport infrastructure and operational capacity and answers the question how to optimize capacity in order to achieve maximum efficiency and profitability as well as how to maintain an adequate level of service quality. As part of the research, a new model was created as an integral part of the Airport Management Strategy Software (AMSS) application. The purpose of the application is to enable the airport management to review and optimize operations in terms of maximum technical and technological capacity utilization. In addition, the application can be used to fill the available slots according to the specifics of the airline’s business model without compromising the security, flexibility, and profitability of airport operations. The validation of the application was conducted at Zagreb Airport, which generated traffic of 3.4 million passengers in 2019. The result of the research is a model which, based on the calculation of the existing capacity of the airport infrastructure and ground handling equipment, enables the simulation of new airline business models and aircraft type implementation. Furthermore, the model also analyses their impact on the utilization of the airport infrastructure and equipment. The research demonstrated the interdependence between airport capacity optimization and optimal slot allocation, and the specifics of airline business models and aircraft types in their fleets. By adopting this model, airport managers can prevent mistakes that arise during negotiations with airlines, which can result in the under capacity of the infrastructure, equipment, and human resources as well as cause lower levels of security, numerous delays, reduced quality of service and, ultimately, negative financial effects.

Keywords: airports; airlines; capacities; efficiency; negotiations; business models; monitoring; Key Performance Indicator (KPI); strategy; optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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