Air Transport Operations Research Articles

On the degree of synchronization between air transport connectivity and COVID-19 cases at worldwide level

COVID-19 is one of the most impactful pandemics in recent history, not only in terms of direct casualties but also regarding socio-economic impact. The goal of our study is to investigate the degree of synchronization between the number of confirmed cases in specific countries, on one hand, and how/at which stage these countries adapted their air transportation operations, on the other hand. We investigate the global air transportation system as a network of countries whose edges represent the existence of direct flights. Aggregated analysis of this country network and its evolving dynamics leads to novel insights regarding the synchronization with the number of confirmed cases; finding that most country borders were likely closed too late. We believe and hope that our analysis leads to a more efficient/effective prevention and control of future epidemics.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ОБЛЕДЕНЕНИЯ НА ФУНКЦИОНИРОВАНИЕ АВИАЦИОННОГО ТРАНСПОРТА: СОСТОЯНИЕ ВОПРОСА И ПРОБЛЕМЫ ПРОГНОЗИРОВАНИЯ

The review of the studies dealing with the effects of icing on airtransport operation is presented. The problems of ground-based icing leading to the deterioration of runways and complication of pre-flight aerodrome operations are discussed. The reasons for the in-flight aircraft icing, the tools and methods of icing observation, the approaches to the forecasting of icing in clouds and precipitation are considered. The methods for predicting the icing of aircraft engines in the zones with high concentration of ice crystals are analyzed.

Effect of the Earth’s daily rotation on the operation of aircraft in the Arctic

Harsh climatic conditions in the regions of the Arctic zone of Russia, as well as their remoteness, negatively affect the technical operation of air transport. This requires new approaches to ensuring the operational reliability of aircraft, based on identifying and taking into account factors specific to this geographical area. One of such factors is the effect of the Coriolis force on the process of vortex suction of foreign objects into the gas-air path of the aircraft engine, the magnitude of which increases from the equator to the poles. The paper reveals the patterns of the effect of the Coriolis force on vortex formation under the air inlets of aircraft engines. We calculated the percentage increase in vortex intensity during the operation of various aircraft in the Arctic zone. Based on the data obtained, we propose recommendations for organizing aircraft maintenance in the Arctic, with account for the effect of the Coriolis force, which will help reduce the likelihood of foreign objects being sucked into the gas-air path of their engines and, thus, increase the operational reliability of aircraft in this region.

An innovative multi-criteria decision-making framework for assessing India's airport operating efficiency

Global air transport operations have risen dramatically, which has led to new airport developments, requiring an in-depth effectiveness study of these investment projects, as is the case here. 6 Indian civil airports' operating efficiency between 2015 and 2018 are examined in this research. These sources were evaluated and assessed using an integrated Shannon's entropy MCDM technique. Using Shannon's entropy approach and the fuzzy WSM method, the weights of decision criteria are determined, and airports are prioritized. As a result, it is capable of dealing with the trepidation and uncertainty that accompany the subjective appraisal of input and outcome components. The findings also show that airports in touristic locations are more efficient than those in less popular places. The more convenient the airport is to the city Centre, the more passengers arrive, and the more money the airport makes. As a result, efficiency ratings are influenced by both of these elements. Airport operators and policymakers will benefit from the study's innovative efficiency analysis approach.

Правовое регулирование авиационного бизнеса в России: поиск баланса между обеспечением транспортной безопасности и эффективностью авиаперевозок

The article discusses the trends in the development of legislation regulating the aviation business in the Russian Federation, in particular, theoretical and practical issues related to the efficiency and safety of air transportation, as well as the search for a balance between them. The article reveals the history of forming the concepts «transport security» and «aviation security» in the Soviet and modern Russian legislation. In order to clarify the Russian state authorities` powers distribution in the field of transport security and their consolidation in the current legislation, the authors investigate the features of the powers of these bodies in the historical retrospect from the beginning of the XIX century. The authors critically analyze the implementation of the certain provisions of the Government of the Russian Federation «On the approval of requirements for ensuring transport security, taking into account the safety levels for air transport vehicles», the implementation of which causes significant problems for air transport operators. It is established that the implementation of these provisions is difficult: it will significantly aggravate the existing economic situation of aircraft operators, and in combination with the general negative trends in the world can lead to a possible mass bankruptcy of domestic small and medium-sized airlines. The authors suggest ways to solve the identified problems. In particular, a possible solution in finding a balance between transport safety and the cost-effectiveness of air transportation may be a «transition period», during which the expansion of the requirements under study will affect only new aircraft.

Planning the use of helicopters for supply distribution in response operations to sudden disasters

abstract: In disasters, when affected areas are remote or difficult to access, or when other ways of transport are not available, helicopters become the most appropriate vehicles to reach the victims, specialy in cases of floods, landslides and earthquakes. However, the planning of air transport operations in the context of a disaster response is of great complexity, so that operational research has significant application and potential contribution to the area. In this context, we propose a procedure that aims to optimize the use of helicopters in response operations to small and medium-scale disasters. The proposed procedure seeks to minimize the total time of operation and the mobilization of air resources during the last mile delivery in relief operations. The proposed procedure is applied on a post-disaster scenario, taking as basis the real characteristics of the response operation to the floods, occurred in 2011, in the mountain region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This paper highlights a methodological protocol for review and stratification of the journals for study and a proposal of this work with viable processes to aid decision-making in the process of distribution of the humanitarian supply chain using helicopters.

SPHERE AND OBJECT OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL SUPPORT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNCTION IN AVIATION

Purpose: determination of the sphere and object of administrative and legal support for the implementation of the state law enforcement function in aviation. Research methods: cross-sectoral approach, which applied the historical and legal method, which made it possible to study the retrospective development of the concept of «aviation», «aviation activity»; methods of analysis and synthesis helped to determine the essence of the object of administrative and legal support for the implementation of state law enforcement functions in aviation. Results: the concept of general aviation has been defined - a type of civil aviation that is not associated with both the commercial operation of air transport and the specialized non-commercial operation of air transport while providing specialized types of activities (agriculture, construction, photography, geodesy, surveillance and patrolling, air advertising, etc. etc.). The aviation industry of Ukraine is a component of the transport system for the production (including, development, testing, manufacturing, maintenance, repair and disposal) of aircraft, their use in airspace, as well as air traffic management activities (including airspace management), air traffic services and air traffic flow management) of Ukraine. It was proposed to consolidate the formulated definition in a legislative act, in particular, Article 1 of the Air Code of Ukraine. Discussion: the object of administrative and legal support for the implementation of the state law enforcement function in aviation is proposed to be interpreted in a broad and narrow sense. In a broad sense, this is an aviation activity; narrowly - activities for the development, experimental testing, manufacturing of aircraft with their release into circulation, operation, maintenance and disposal, as well as activities for air traffic maintenance, management of the use of the airspace of Ukraine and the organization of air traffic flows.

Влияние пыльных и песчаных бурь на работу авиационного транспорта и оценка условий их возникновения на аэродромах европейской части России

A review of literature on the impact of dust and sand storms on the air transport operation is presented. Observational data on dust storms at the aerodromes of European Russia for the period of 2001-2019 are analyzed. The seasonal variations in dust transport episodes at aerodromes and its relationship with visibility changes are discussed. The characteristics of dusty air masses and advection are given. It is concluded that the frequency of dust transfer episodes for the aerodromes under study has decreased over the past five years, except for Gumrak aerodrome (Volgograd). Keywords: dust storm, sand storm, aviation, visibility, seasonal variations, aerodrome оf European Russia

From the Guantanamo Bay Crash to Objective Fatigue Hazard Identification in Air Transport

Sleep quality and maintenance of the optimal cognitive functioning is of crucial importance for aviation safety. Fatigue Risk Management (FRM) enables the operator to achieve the objectives set in their safety and FRM policies. As in any other risk management cycle, the FRM value can be realized by deploying suitable tools that aid robust decision-making. For the purposes of our article, we focus on fatigue hazard identification to explore the possible developments forward through the enhancement of objective tools in air transport operators. To this end we compare subjective and objective tools that could be employed by an FRM system. Specifically, we focus on an exploratory survey on 120 pilots and the analysis of 250 fatigue reports that are compared with objective fatigue assessment based on the polysomnographic (PSG) and neurocognitive assessment of three experimental cases. We highlight the significance of predictive objective tools that should be deployed by contemporary FRM models. We also report the need for utilization of scientific-based tools for predictive FRM, in which objective sleep quality and neurocognitive assessment should be the core aspect. We note the period of restructuring ahead as an opportunity for operators to rethink and restructure their FRM.

After COVID 19 Air Transportation

After Covid 19, international trade traffic changed direction, air transportation remained in the background compared to other modes of transport. Air transport is a fast growing mode of transport among other modes of transport in the world. This mode of transportation, which serves nationally and internationally, has an important role in the economic, social and cultural areas of the countries and regions. This is a rapidly growing mode of transport. Turkey, a country linking Asia with Europe and air transport, it is not at the desired level. Airline, which is an indispensable element of modern life, is the engine of development in the global business world, health education and tourism. Flight cancellation, late departure (flight delay) or delays due to failure to arrive at the time of arrival, false information about the flight, accident loss or baggage damage, disabled passenger denial and limited mobility are the disadvantages of airline transportation. Airline transportation, which is preferred due to its rapid access to its disadvantages, is experiencing a troubled period due to covid 19, which affected the world in 2020. The COVID-19 outbreak that started in Wuhan, China at the end of 2019 affected the whole world. With the spread of the epidemic, economic activities related to global trade declined and air transport operations declined. Countries use the airline to protect against the contagious effect of COVID-19 in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization. Airline companies stopped most of their flight activities by first restricting transportation and then closing their borders. This situation caused a decrease in the revenues of the aviation industry, an increase in financial losses and an increase in other sectors related to the aviation sector. In this study, one of the measures taken in the aviation sector within the scope of COVID-19 was mentioned and the economic impact of the epidemic on the sector was examined. In addition, assessments of the current situation of Turkey's aviation sector has been based on the indicators. This article aims to provide business leaders with an insight into the evolving COVID-19 situation and its implications for their companies.

Introduction to the Special Section: Air Transportation Systems Planning and Operations Under Uncertainty

Introduction to the Special Section: Air Transportation Systems Planning and Operations Under Uncertainty

A two-stage optimization approach for aircraft hangar maintenance planning and staff assignment problems under MRO outsourcing mode

Aircraft Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) is essential to ensure aviation safety and air transport operations. An aircraft has to temporally suspend its service and receive extensive maintenance in the hangar upon reaching the prescribed flying hours and take-off/landing times. Traditionally, each airline company undertakes hangar maintenance for its own fleet, however the nature of MRO operations has changed with the rapid development of air transport demand. Outsourcing hangar maintenance to maintenance service companies has been increasing among airlines, enabling airlines to reduce the cost of MRO while meeting the aircraft’s safety requirements. After receiving the maintenance order with specifications, the maintenance service company needs to determine the maintenance schedules, parking stand allocation, aircraft movement path and staff assignment in the integrated planning problem. To integrate the abovementioned factors, a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model is developed. In the MILP model, geometric factors are considered, which are integrated with the multi-skill manpower assignment afterwards. Consideration of staff with multiple types of maintenance skills, aligning with the practice of sophisticated hangar maintenance, is incorporated in the model. Secondly, given the complexity of the integrated problem, a two-stage optimization approach is developed by decomposing the original model, which is coordinated by the linkage constraints between the geometric and numeric decision-making scattering in the decomposed subproblems. The results and analysis of numerical experimentation are reported, which shows: (i) the adaptability and efficiency of the two-stage optimization approach and (ii) the tractability of the two-stage optimization approach, which manage to produce good quality solutions in solving medium- to large- size instances. The impacts of maintenance demand intensity and manpower supply variation are also analysed to provide managerial insights.

Supporting the needs of special assistance (including PRM) passengers: An international survey of disabled air passenger rights legislation

Passengers who require special assistance at airports and on aircraft represent one of the fastest growing demographics for aviation worldwide. At some airports, annual growth in PRM (persons with reduced mobility) traffic is six times greater than the overall rate of passenger growth yet barriers to accessible air travel remain and disabled passengers continue to exhibit a lower propensity to fly than other travellers. In an attempt to aid disabled passengers’ accessibility to air travel, countries have introduced dedicated air passenger rights and consumer protection legislation which seeks to specifically address the needs of disabled travellers. These regulations typically state minimum service standards and levels of service provision that must be provided by air transport operators to enable disabled travellers to access air travel on an equal basis to other passengers. These legal interventions, however, have been developed on a country-by-country basis and this has created a lack of international regulatory alignment. This paper reports on the findings of an international survey of disabled air passenger rights legislation in 47 countries covering 20 aviation markets (the single market in the European Union and 19 other States). It identifies the differences in regulatory frameworks, highlights their implications for consumers and ultimately concludes by recommending the formation of more harmonised global policy making to better support the needs of special assistance passengers and facilitate their greater mobility by air.

Microwave Resonance Method for Measuring Microliter Volumes of Free Moisture of Aviation Fuels

One of the conditions for ensuring the safety of air transport operation is the quality of aviation fuel refueled in aircraft. Fuel quality control is a multi-parameter task that includes monitoring the free moisture content. Regulatory documents establish the free water content of not more than 0.0015 wt.%. A direct electrometric microwave resonator method for controlling free moisture in aviation fuels has been developed. The method consists in measuring the resonance characteristics of a cylindrical cavity resonator. At that, on a solid dielectric surface inside the resonator, there are moisture drops that are pressed by a thin plate. As a result, dielectric losses increase dramatically. Analytical and experimental analyses of the proposed method are carried out. The monitoring range of 0.5–30 μl of the absolute moisture volume in aviation fuels with a maximum error of no more than 25% is justified. The sensitivity of the proposed method for monitoring microwave losses in free moisture drops transformed into a thin layer by pressing with a thin plate is an order of magnitude higher than the sensitivity of the method for monitoring microwave losses in moisture drops on a solid surface in a resonator. The proposed method can be used as a basis for the development of instruments for monitoring the free moisture of aviation fuels in airfi eld and laboratory conditions. The direction of development of the method is shown.

Using the AHP method to identify the relative effectiveness of Brazilian aviation security measures

The risk assessment method applied to aviation security assists in the decision-making process of air transport managers, contributing to the efficient allocation of resources. Through the application of the pairwise comparison of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), it is intended to demonstrate and identify the relative effectiveness of security measures applied to Brazilian air transport system, considering different threat scenarios to the air transport operations. Data collection was performed through a questionnaire distributed to aviation security specialists. The results indicate that the degree of the measures effectiveness varies according to the threat and allowed to define fundamental parameters in the process of risk management and in the prioritisation of the oversight by the relevant Brazilian authorities.

The Impact οf Climate Change οn Air Transport

Purpose: The object of the research is the changing climate and its impact on air transport in Poland. The primary objective of the study was to present the most crucial elements of the air transport sector, vulnerable to the more and more frequent climate changes, and vulnerability indicators which allow to evaluate the impact of the change of climatic elements on the operation conditions of air transport. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research process was conducted in two major stages. The first step was to select and indicate elements vulnerable to climatic factors having a key impact on the decisions regarding the essential characteristics of the transport sector while presenting the vulnerability indicators. This was performed with the application of a diagnostic survey using the questionnaire tool. The survey was conducted among the passengers of Warsaw airports in the year 2017. Findings: The current warming of the climatic system entails measurable consequences which soon will have very costly and inevitable consequences both for air transport and economy in Europe and elsewhere, if no fast and firm corrective and remedial actions are taken. Practical Implications: Climate change presents a considerable global threat. The overwhelming majority of recent scientific research and climate change reports confirm that current global warming is the result of human activities. Climate has already started to change, and it is evident that the rate of change is increasing. It has begun to affect air transport, i.e., one of the transport branches most vulnerable to climatic changes. Its sensitivity to climatic conditions should be viewed in relation to three basic elements: infrastructure, means of transport, and social comfort. Appropriate operation of the transport sector, in turn, may be guaranteed only if climatic factors are considered. Originality/Value: Indication of the most crucial elements of the air transport sector, vulnerable to the more and more frequent climate changes, and vulnerability indicators which allow to evaluate the impact of the change of climatic elements on the conditions of operation of air transport.

Social, technological, and systemic issues of spreading the use of drones

Spreading the use of drones is seen as a fundamental step to exploit the economic potential of this new part of aviation and to support the further development of the economy. However, the expansion of the use of drones has many obstacles in its way that must first be overcome. This paper focuses on the development of drones and searches for ways to support them. The aim of the paper is to uncover the issues of spreading the use of drones. Considering new harmonized European legislation, it is possible to come across traditional airspace users, or even the general public, who may oppose the development. Based on the attitudes of all stakeholders in the current complex system of air transport operations, including its predicted future, it was possible to define three basic groups of issues of spreading the use of drones. These are social, technological, and systemic issues. Each group is defined by several issues that hinder the rapid development of the unmanned industry. The elimination of the identified issues could allow the spreading the use of drones one step further.

Microwave resonance method for measuring microliter volumes of free moisture in aviation fuels

One of the conditions for ensuring the safety of air transport operation is the quality of aviation fuel refueled in aircraft. Fuel quality control is a multi-parameter task that includes monitoring the free moisture content. Regulatory documents establish the content of free water no more than 0.0015% by weight. It is developed a direct electrometric microwave resonance method for controlling free moisture in aviation fuels, which consists in changing the shape of the water drops by pressing them on a solid surface inside a cylindrical cavity resonator. This can dramatically increase dielectric losses. Analytical and experimental analysis of the proposed method is carried out. The control range from 0,5 to 30 μl of absolute volume of moisture in aviation fuels with a maximum error of not morethan 25 % is justified. The sensitivity of the proposed method for monitoring microwave losses in free moisture drops transformed into a thin layer by pressing is an order of magnitude greater than the sensitivity of the method for monitoring microwave losses in moisture drops on a solid surface in a resonator. The proposed method can be used as a basis for the development of devices for monitoring the free moisture of aviation fuels in the conditions of the airfield and laboratory. The direction of development of the method is shown.

Planning the use of helicopters in distribution of supplies in response operations of natural disasters

In the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster, physical infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, are often destroyed and transport capacity is extremely limited or non-existent. As a result, access to affected areas becomes very difficult or even remote. In this scenario, helicopters are the most appropriate vehicles to reach the victims. However, the planning of air transport operations in the context of a disaster response has a high degree of complexity, and thus operational research has significant application and potential contribution to the area. In this context, this paper proposes a procedure that aims to optimize the use of helicopters in response operations to small and medium-scale natural disasters. The proposed procedure seeks to minimize the total time of operation and mobilization of air resources during last mile deliveries in relief operations. This procedure was applied on a real post-disaster scenario, taking as basis the characteristics of the response operation to the floods, occurred in 2011, in the mountain region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Results indicate the developed methodology as a feasible tool to aid in the decision-making process regarding the use of helicopters for last mile deliveries in the humanitarian supply chain.

TANGGUNG JAWAB NEGARA ATAS TERGANGGUNYA FREKUENSI RADIO PENERBANGAN DI WILAYAH UDARA PANTAI UTARA JAWA GUNA MENJAMIN KESELAMATAN PENERBANGAN

Indonesia is an archipelagic country that can be divided into land, water and airspace. For the sake of realizing a national insight, it requires a transportation system. Transportation can be divided into land, sea and air transportation. Air transportation is a very efficient transportation for humans because it has comfort and can save time. Air transportation growth in Indonesia are rising highly time by time, law must provide the rule of operation of air transport. Passenger have right to get to destination that ruled on air ticket. Beside of the destination, passenger must get delivered by the time that written on ticket. Airline must provide aircraft that could carry all passenger that have the ticket, but in practice, some passenger can’t be carried by airline because there was changes of the type of aircraft that carry less passenger than planned. Passenger must get compensation from the loss. Airline shall responsible from causing the trouble. There some responsibility system in Indonesia law, but for the case of the above, the responsibility system that should airline take is unclear. This journal will discuss about the responsibility system that can be used for the case and how law govern to clear the problem.