Estimating the costs for the airport operator and airlines of a drone-related shutdown: an application to Frankfurt international airport

Philippe Wendt,Augusto Voltes-Dorta,Pere Suau-Sanchez

doi:10.1007/s12198-020-00212-4

Philippe Wendt, Augusto Voltes-Dorta + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12198-020-00212-4

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Abstract

Commercially-acquired drones threaten airport operations due to limited knowledge of airspace safety regulations or deliberate action by drone operators. This study aims to determine whether the investment cost of a drone-defence system can be justified in relation to the financial cost of a drone-related shutdown. To that end, a case study of Frankfurt Airport is carried out with simulations of different disruptions during a peak-activity period similar to the 2018 Gatwick drone incident. With data on passenger traffic and airline schedules, we developed a passenger recovery algorithm to determine the amount of delays caused by the disruptions and the costs for the airport operator and the airlines. Results show that the investment in a drone-defence system is offset by the costs of a 48-h continued closure or several smaller closures, but since the largest share of costs is borne by the airlines, investments should be shared between both stakeholders.

Highlights

Despite the recent COVID-19 pandemic having an adverse effect in air travel worldwide (Suau-Sánchez et al 2020), the expected recovery of air transport demand in the medium term (IATA 2020), paired with adverse shocks in the industry, will again place increasing pressure on airport networks to cope with disturbances (Cardillo et al 2013)
We provide a case study for Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) in order to allow for comparison and a discussion on the main cost drivers
Costs for the airport operator relate to loss of landing and passenger charges

Summary

Introduction

Despite the recent COVID-19 pandemic having an adverse effect in air travel worldwide (Suau-Sánchez et al 2020), the expected recovery of air transport demand in the medium term (IATA 2020), paired with adverse shocks in the industry, will again place increasing pressure on airport networks to cope with disturbances (Cardillo et al 2013). Throughout Friday 21st of December, flight traffic was expected to normalise, and the airport was almost back to normal in the early evening Another drone sighting caused the airport to be closed for yet another hour, but after 6:30 pm all runways remained available for landings and departures

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