A simulation framework for airline line maintenance crew sizes

Abstract

The airlines are constantly challenged with the crew, fuel, and new regulation issues that impact their financial and operational performances. Some of these challenges are beyond the control of airlines. However, it is extremely important to be efficient in the areas that the airlines have control over. Flight line maintenance, also called as through flight maintenance, involves regular walk-around checks of aircraft between their arrival and successive departure at the airport. The lack of adequate line maintenance personnel has a major impact on on-time flight departures. Accordingly, having the right number of maintenance crew sizes is crucial for on-time performance and profitability in particular at their hubs and busy airports. This study offers a generic discrete-event simulation modelling for airlines to help them with staffing their line maintenance crew teams. The application of the model is presented to a US airline operating at their busiest hub. Different crew teams and their impact on key performance indicators are tested and reported for this airline.