A simulation study regarding different aircraft boarding strategies

Abstract

The airline industry is constantly subject to the search of new methods in order to increase efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction. Since airlines only generate revenue when their airplanes are on the air, the time they spend at the airports should be the shortest possible. Hence, the airplane turnaround time becomes a process which airlines pay special attention on. The boarding process has a very important role, since it is one of the significant elements of the turnaround time, and a slow boarding process might lead to many kinds of problems to the airline, from financial issues to customer complaints. This paper analyzes the major interferences among the passengers that cause delays in boarding times, and after comparing the different aircraft boarding strategies, it proposes the most efficient strategy.