Abstract
Airline crew rostering is a complicated planning-type problem, and its objective is to assemble pairings into schedules that maximise the satisfaction levels of crews. The rostering process focuses on achieving a more balanced workload distribution among the crewmembers that allows designing rosters in the interest of the crew. The main purpose of the paper was to explain the fundamental aspects of airline crew rostering and its impact on crewmembers’ fatigue. Additionally, the research identified mitigation measures that airlines should make to combat or mitigate crewmembers’ fatigue when designing their rosters. The paper also allowed readers to understand the effects of fatigue on crew’s alertness and performance. The qualitative research methods (such as literature review) was used to understand the complexity of the airline crew rostering, the flight and duty time limitations, crew’s rest requirement and crewmembers’ fatigue. The survey was used as the quantitative research method to identify crewmembers’ satisfaction with their rosters that would help to optimise the rostering process. An online survey (using Google Forms) was distributed to potential respondents (experienced crewmembers) via email addresses and online platforms. Respondents were asked 18 close ended questions divided into two parts (demographic and operational experience). One hundred eleven responses were gathered, which showed that age plays a crucial role in crewmembers’ fatigue. In addition, cargo pilots are usually more dissatisfied with their rosters due to exhausting flight duty periods at nights.
Highlights
One of the most crucial and challenging operational processes in the airlines’ industry is scheduling process
This paper explains the main aspects of airline crew rostering and their impact on everyday business of airlines
The main research question is: What is the impact of airline crew rostering on crewmembers’ fatigue? In addition, the paper answers secondary research question: What mitigation actions should airlines make to combat or mitigate crew’s fatigue but still follow regulations, when they design crew rosters? This paper allows readers to understand the effects of fatigue on crew’s alertness and performance
Summary
One of the most crucial and challenging operational processes in the airlines’ industry is scheduling process. An airline’s schedule is considered an essential indicator of its business strategy. Crew related costs represent a major operating airline’s expense. The effective utilisation of crews is substantial. The importance of understanding airlines crew scheduling and creating effective and optimised rosters for crewmembers is essential, due to its impact on airlines’ financial performance. Even a little improvement of crew scheduling can save a lot of money for airline. Poor quality of crew planning (e.g. lack of crewmembers) can lead to a downfall. Scheduled flights might get cancelled/delayed or crewmembers may report sick. Airlines use standby crews to solve these disruptions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
