Development of a Model for International Traveler’s Check-In Process Using Arena Software Tool

Abstract

The increasing demand for airline services amidst limited resources results in passenger dissatisfaction and dwindling revenue for airports and airlines. The dynamics of service demand and resource supply results in check-in issues for the stakeholders in the commercial aviation industry. This has the effect of impacting negatively on service performance, cost of operations, customer satisfaction, and overall throughput. Hence, this paper modelled the travelers’ check-in process at the “D Wing” of the Departure Section of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, using Arena Software Tool. The work was carried out by determining the parameters of the queues at designated service points in the check-in process. The primary data required to develop the model were acquired by direct observation of passenger flow and oral interview. Thus, the average check-in time was determined. Thereafter, a model of the international check-in system of the MMIA was developed using Arena software in combination with Microsoft Office tools. The data collected were therefore inputted into the model and simulated; the real result was compared with the simulation result of 133 completions and there was no significant difference. The result showed that the model is a representation of the real system under study. Further work will be tailored towards simulation (i.e. the model will be subjected to experimentation in order to have different scenario).