Airline flight frequency determination in response to competitive interactions using fuzzy logic

Abstract

This study determines the flight frequencies on an airline network in response to anticipated airline competitive interactions using fuzzy logic. It is expressed as an optimization problem to be solved in the medium-term airline network-planning phase, and it deals with tactical decisions made one season or one year in advance. The proposed model includes three submodels—an airline market share model, a flight-frequency programming model, and a fuzzy-logic-based competitive interaction model. Flight frequencies on an airline network with competitive interactions are analyzed by combining these three submodels. A case study, demonstrating the feasibility of applying the proposed model, confirms that the competitive interactions will converge. The results of this study confirm the accuracy of the proposed model and their flexibility of the decision-making involved in determining flight frequencies on an airline network in competitive and uncertain environments.