Modelling and optimization of aircraft turnaround time at an airport

Gate-to-gate punctuality has long been the operational goal of the air transport industry. In this paper, an analytical model is proposed to simulate the efficiency of aircraft turnaround operations at airports. Scenarios for different aircraft punctuality performance have been modelled and tested. The concept of scheduling buffer time into the ground time of aircraft turnaround operations is introduced in the model at the expense of reducing aircraft productivity to minimize system costs from operational uncertainties. Stochastic functions are employed to simulate the inbound punctuality of arrival aircraft in order to take into account the punctuality uncertainties from the operation of flight schedules. Flight data from a European carrier is used to validate the model. Analyses show that the proper use of schedule buffer time in aircraft turnaround time can minimize system costs by balancing trade-offs between schedule punctuality and aircraft utilization.