Modelling performance an air transport network operated by subsonic and supersonic aircraft

M Janić

doi:10.1017/aer.2020.46

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper deals with modelling the performance of an air transport network operated by existing subsonic and the prospective supersonic commercial aircraft. Analytical models of indicators of the infrastructural, technical/technological, operational, economic, environmental, and social performance of the network relevant for the main actors/stakeholders involved are developed. The models are applied to the given long-haul air route network exclusively operated by subsonic and supersonic aircraft according to the specified “what-if” scenarios.The results from application of the models indicate that supersonic flights powered by LH2 (Liquid Hydrogen) could be more feasible than their subsonic counterparts powered by Jet A fuel, in terms of about three times higher technical productivity, 46% smaller size of the required fleet given the frequency of a single flight per day, 20% lower sum of the aircraft/airline operational, air passenger time, and considered external costs, up to two times higher overall social-economic feasibility, and 94% greater savings in contribution to global warming and climate change. These flights could be less feasible in terms of about 70-85% higher aircraft/airline operational costs, 70% and 19% higher fuel consumption and emissions of Green House Gases, respectively, and 6-13% higher noise compared to the specified acceptable levels.

Highlights

Increasing of travel speed has been a human endeavour for a long time
The question is whether the design and operational concepts of forthcoming supersonic aircraft, combined with an innovative consideration, could possibly indicate elements of their positive social-economic feasibility? This paper provides a framework for assessing this balance through modelling performance indicators of the given long-haul air route network, operated exclusively by supersonic aircraft or their subsonic counterparts, according to the given “what-if” scenarios
The above-mentioned overview has indicated the existence of long-standing research efforts to develop the concepts of supersonic aircraft. Those dealing with the systematic analysing, modelling, and comparing performance with those of the subsonic aircraft have been fragmentary or non-existent. This especially applies to the consideration of different operating scenarios including competition or eventually full replacement in the given air route networks

Summary

Introduction

Increasing of travel speed has been a human endeavour for a long time. In general, limitations on the time and monetary budget, maximizing travel distances during the shortest possible time and related costs have become the main driving forces in developing both inland HS (high speed) and air transport systems. These savings increase with increasing of the non-stop travel distance(s)(1) Under such conditions, the possible implementation of commercial supersonic aircraft seems to be beneficial primarily in the case of long-haul flights. Combined with the aircraft seat capacity and the flight frequency, the supersonic speed could substantialyl increase the air route(s) technical productivity and bring obvious gains to the airlines. These gains in travel time and technical productivity remain questionable after being counterbalanced by the overall economics of these flights, including their operational costs and the environmental and social externalities. The question is whether the design and operational concepts of forthcoming supersonic aircraft, combined with an innovative consideration, could possibly indicate elements of their positive social-economic feasibility? This paper provides a framework for assessing this balance through modelling performance indicators of the given long-haul air route network, operated exclusively by supersonic aircraft or their subsonic counterparts, according to the given “what-if” scenarios

Objectives

Methods

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Conclusion