Passenger Segments Research Articles

Factors of the Evolution of Air Passenger Segmentation: The Case of the Serbian Air Travel Market

The paper investigates the evolution of air passenger profiles in terms of regulatory environment, competitive landscape, socio-economic and demographic trends. The research is supported by passenger surveys carried out since 2001. The surveys have been designed to provide objective and in-depth insights into the preferences and behaviors of air passengers in the Serbian market. The resulting passenger segments are categorized based on socioeconomic and travel purpose criteria, but the surveys conducted at Serbian airports reveal that competition triggered the service quality to become a major issue in the Serbian market, after the entrance of low-cost carriers. The research of future projections of air passengers in Serbia is based on the Delphi method for two-time horizons (2025 and 2035) and three future scenarios are proposed.

Passenger satisfaction assessment in the aviation industry using Type-2 fuzzy TOPSIS

Assessment of passenger satisfaction (PS) ratings is a noteworthy component of evaluating the service quality metrics used by airline companies. One of the most popular ways for airline companies to gauge customer satisfaction (CS) and determine what needs to be improved is by conducting surveys of their customers. In this study, we used an extended version of the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) technique, which is one of the most important multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, with type-2 fuzzy sets to evaluate PS for the first time in the literature. Using this systematic technique, we have reflected to the model the uncertainty that may affect the evaluations of the passengers when making their assessments. Our study is considerably beneficial since it enables not only the PS evaluation of airline companies but also it is a generalization to analyze any type of CS that may be found in the aviation sector. We used our technique on questionnaires answered by 129,880 US Airlines passengers concerning 14 criteria and compared our results with studies in the literature using the same dataset. Unlike the literature, in this paper, passenger segmentation has been done to obtain effective results. Different scenarios are created for each emerging segment. While creating the scenarios, the passenger profiles of overall satisfaction, flight class, and customer loyalty are considered and different priorities are given to these variables in each scenario. We have utilized these scenarios to help airlines determine the demands of each consumer segment to improve service quality. Our study provides airline companies with an integrated decision system, with a holistic perspective, in which they can take into account not only their customers as one type, but also the differences they may experience in evaluating both their flight habits and flight experiences.

Segmentation of passengers on the autism spectrum in their use, preferences and acceptance of digital technology at airports in Spain

PurposeThe present paper answers two significant questions: (1) What are the relative consumer and firm-level effects of marketing through metaverse compared to conventional marketing endeavors? (2) What are the current trends in utilizing the metaverse as reported in the recent literature?Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a systematic literature review methodology, utilizing a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flowchart to synthesize existing research. Thirty-five articles written in English were selected and analyzed from two databases, Web of Science and EBSCO Host.FindingsThe findings indicate that consumer-level effects of the metaverse include consumer loyalty and brand attachment. The firm-level benefits are decentralization and cost reductions. The paper proposes a framework indicating variables that could attenuate or enhance the association between immersive components of the metaverse and their resultant effects.Originality/valueThis study contributes to understanding the role of metaverse in marketing practices related to the marketing mix components. The study conceptualizes a novel framework for the metaverse and its resultant effects.

Valuation of marine areas for merchant shipping: an attempt at shipping spatial rent valuation based on Polish Marine Areas

As part of the progressive process of extending spatial plans to cover an increasing number of marine areas, with the aim of objectively balancing the interests of various users of the marine area, it has become necessary to establish the value of marine areas as a yardstick or determinant of the user group for which a given marine area is of greater value. This study seeks to fill a research gap by attempting to develop a method to calculate the value of marine areas for the commercial shipping industry. This is done to make it possible in the future to prepare the ground for policy regulating the spatial rent of the sea, whose most important users are shipowners and their ships. We use the homogeneous basin of the Polish Marine Areas (PMA) in the Baltic Sea. Based on a literature review, we conclude that such a method does not exist, posing a significant challenge in the process of marine/maritime spatial planning (MSP) and maritime policy formulation. Conducting an in-depth analysis of 2020 data on ship traffic in the basin noted above, combined with a financial analysis of shipowners’ operating costs and profitability indicators, we can determine the value of marine areas both in aggregate for all shipping in the studied basin and for each of the five segments of shipping – the bulk cargo, ro-ro cargo, container, tanker, and passenger segments. In addition, through a dynamic analysis of ship traffic, it is possible to determine the value of sea area in Polish seawaters per unit of area (1 km²) at the average level and for the five specified market segments. The obtained values show that the total profits of shipowners in the Polish Marine Areas, which are at the level of more than EUR 103 million per year, and the average value of profits per 1 km² of marine area used by a ship provide future decision-makers with an objective point of reference to shape future policies for the fiscalization of public space, including the sea.

Shipping in the EU emissions trading system: implications for mitigation, costs and modal split

ABSTRACT EU recently decided to include shipping, meaning all intra-European shipping and 50% of extra-European voyages, in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) beginning in 2024. This article provides an early assessment of the impacts of the EU ETS on the shipping sector’s potential reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for different types of ships. It further examines selected mitigation measures and the impact on modals split and costs. The study employs a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative estimates (based on data from the EU monitoring, reporting and verification system) with qualitative data and information from interviews with key actors and from previous literature. This approach aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of the EU ETS. The inclusion of shipping in the EU ETS is expected to introduce significant incentives to reduce emissions. We estimate that switching to bio-methanol at an emissions allowance price of €90–100/tCO2 will be cost-effective for a minor share of shipping segments (representing about 0.5-5% of all ships), whereas at a price above €150/tCO2 it could be cost-effective for a considerable share (potentially 75%) of ships. In the short term, the costs incurred by the EU ETS will be passed on to transport customers as a surcharge. The increased cost may, unless properly addressed, drive carbon leakage. Meanwhile, a modal shift away from shipping may occur in the roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) and roll-on passenger (RoPax) segments due to direct competition with road and rail transport and the relative ease of shifting to other modes of transport.

Россия и Китай: взаимодействия в сфере наземного транспорта на современном этапе

The paper presents an overview of the dynamics of cross-border interactions between Russia and the PRC in terms of road and rail modes of transportation in 2020–2023. It is shown that transportation services underwent changes determined by short-term and long-term factors. In the period under consideration, short-term factors had a more significant impact: 1) restrictions related to COVID-19 infection control measures (2020–2022); 2) reduction of the pandemic threat and gradual lifting of the applied restrictions (from the beginning of 2023). Long-term factors also influenced transportation interactions. The paper analyzes the growth of containerization, changes in institutional conditions, increased demand for transportation in the context of growing sanctions pressure on Russia and reorientation of transport and logistics flows. The processes of adjustment of rail and road cross-border correspondence in the context of freight and passenger segments, as well as individual checkpoints on the border between Russia and China are considered. It is noted that by the beginning of 2024 the transport interactions between the countries have been restored at the «pre-pandemic» level and are developing: construction of transport infrastructure facilities continues, technical equipment of border checkpoints is being improved, new organizational forms of transportation (special container trains, new routes, transportation technologies) are being implemented

Air Travel Experiences of Parents of Children with Invisible Disabilities: A Zimbabwean Perspective.

The existing literature on air travelers grappling with hidden disabilities is notably scarce. When not in view, disabilities are forgotten. This paper sheds light on diverse facets of air travel pertinent to children with invisible disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who travel with their parents. Navigating through airports can be particularly challenging for families of children with these conditions. This study seeks to delve into the airport experiences of such. The objective is to aid airport staff in crafting enhanced experiences tailored to this specific passenger segment. Considering ongoing efforts by airports to institute awareness on physical disability, it is crucial to address the unique challenges faced by those with hidden disabilities. While some airports globally have implemented procedures catering to the needs of those with cognitive impairments, these initiatives are yet to be implemented in Zimbabwean airports.

China's transportation decarbonization in the context of carbon neutrality: A segment-mode analysis using integrated modelling

China aims to peak carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Currently, 9% of China's CO2 emissions come from the transportation sector. Transportation decarbonization is important for China to achieve carbon neutrality. By representing the transportation sector with nine segments and 20 modes in Global Change Analysis Model, this study explores China's transportation decarbonization and potential role of electricity and hydrogen at the segment-mode level under three illustrative scenarios – policy scenario (PS), 2060 carbon-neutrality scenario (CN60), and 2050 carbon-neutrality scenario (CN50). The PS reflects the continuation of current low-carbon policies and trends, while the CN60 and the CN50 represent China's pursuit of net-zero emissions before 2060 and 2050, respectively. Results in the PS show a gradual saturation of service demand and an increasingly efficient modal structure for China's future transportation. Compared to the PS, the two carbon neutrality scenarios specifically emphasize the importance of decarbonizing transportation fuel structure after 2030. In the CN60, China's transportation emissions peak in 2035 and fall to 0.36 GtCO2 in 2050; electricity and hydrogen provide 43% and 12% of transportation energy in 2050, respectively. The CN50 features further penetration of low-carbon fuels to reduce transportation carbon intensity, with transportation emissions peaking in 2030 and declining to only 0.21 GtCO2 in 2050. In 2050 of the CN50, the share of electricity and hydrogen in China's transportation energy increases to 53% and 16%, respectively, with near-zero emissions being achieved in urban, rural and business passenger segments, as well as in car and bus; hydrogen provides 17% and 26% of China's airplane and ship energy consumption, respectively.

Airline revenue management with segmented continuous pricing: methods and competitive effects

With the introduction of IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC), airlines will no longer be limited to discrete fare classes for their fare product distribution but could show fare quotes from continuous ranges to booking requests. NDC will also allow airlines to present different fare quotes to passengers from different demand segments as identified by the airline. In theory, airlines can better extract passenger willingness to pay, and thus, see gains in revenue, by offering segmented continuous fare quotes to different passengers requesting to book. This paper describes the revenue management (RM) methods for Segmented Continuous Pricing and examines their potential effects on airlines’ revenue through simulations in the Passenger Origin–Destination Simulator (PODS). We describe a class-based algorithm for continuous pricing, a straightforward extension from the traditional methods used with existing RM systems. Our simulation results show that in a calibrated scenario in which only one airline adopts Segmented Continuous Pricing and has an 80% accuracy in identifying business versus leisure passenger booking requests, the first-mover airline can see as much as a 17% revenue gain, at the expense of competitors. The revenue gains come primarily from the leisure passenger segment by offering lower fares than competitors closer to departure. The first-mover airline loses bookings but does not see losses in revenue from the business passenger segment. We also explore potential response strategies by the competing airlines. We discover that competitors can reverse the first-mover’s revenue gain by removing their fare restrictions while still using traditional RM methods. We conclude that although adopting Segmented Continuous Pricing is promising in theory, its gains in practice will depend heavily on the competitive situation and the responses made by competing airlines.

Green transport and renewable power: an integrated analysis for India's future

ABSTRACT This study addresses the challenge of decarbonizing India's transportation and power sectors, which jointly contribute to around 35% of the nation's emissions. The research introduces a transport model designed to project the growth of EVs within the 2-wheeler (2W) and 4-wheeler passenger (4W) segments, considering different policy scenarios. These scenarios are assessed for their impact on technology adoption, fossil fuel demand, power requirements, and CO2 emissions. Additionally, the study presents a demand model to forecast national electricity demand. The power model is also developed and linked with the transport and demand models to evaluate different fuel mix options for meeting the projected national power demand through 2050. The findings reveal that ambitious policy scenarios can drive EVs to constitute roughly 45% of all 2W and 4W vehicles on Indian roads by 2050, substantially increasing electricity demand to an estimated 295 TWh with a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions within the transport sector. Significantly, the soft linkage between these models underscores the potential for India to meet up to 90% of its national electricity demand through renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydropower. The research underscores the feasibility of transitioning towards a low-carbon energy system through renewable energy and EV integration.

Carbon footprint comparison analysis of passenger car segment electric and ICE propelled vehicles in Kuwait

Considering the decrease in the fossil-fuel reserves and environmental drawbacks of internal combustion engine (ICE) propelled vehicles, the usage of alternative prime movers such as electric vehicles (EVs) has gained significant potential in the last decades. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are a few currently available examples of vehicle electrification. EVs have zero in-use emissions, however, depending on the region to be operated, well-to-wheel (WTW) emissions need to be considered for a realistic carbon footprint effect considering global warming (GW) analysis. Especially, considering the countries where the usage of renewable energy (RE) sources is extremely limited, such as Kuwait and other GCC countries, the benefit of EVs significantly decreases. Within this perspective in this study, an inclusive CO2 emissions analysis for two passenger segment vehicles with different prime movers are analyzed: ICE and electric motor (EM). Longitudinal vehicle models were developed via MATLAB/Simulink software for both prime mover configurations which are capable of simulating the fuel/energy consumption using Toyota Camry and Lexus UX 300e vehicles. The generated CO2 emissions by the two prime movers were compared using the previously generated Kuwait driving cycle (Kuwait DC). The results indicated that the use of BEVs generated fewer CO2 emissions nearly half the amount of what ICE propelled vehicles generated.

Exploring the role of public transport information sources on perceived service quality in suburban rail

Information is a powerful tool to enhance the perceived service quality of public transport. Online information sources have become very popular and coexist with traditional sources like posters and signage, however it remains unclear whether those sources impact evenly to the service perception. This paper aims to explore the influence of different information sources on the service attributes and perceived service quality. For that, we take data from the annual Traveller Satisfaction Survey of the suburban rail of Madrid Region and adapt a robust service quality assessment framework to consider information sources. First, four passenger segments arise according to their preferred information source, including online and offline. Then, we assess the perceived service quality of each segment using a combination of CART and IPA techniques. Results expose a relevant role of information on the suburban rail service satisfaction, contrarily to previous studies focused on urban rail. We have also detected some heterogeneity on the relative importance of attributes depending on the information role: online-informed passengers care most about core attributes while traditionally informed passengers are more influenced by comfort. Last, the IPA reveals a general need to improve service reliability, train supply and up-to-date information.

Assessing passenger preferences for Bus Rapid Transit characteristics: A discrete choice experiment among current and potential Dutch passengers

To gain ridership, bus services need to offer more than just high frequencies. An attractive system design for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a result of various configurational choices concerning infrastructure, rolling stock and operations. To find out which configurations are preferred by potential and current passengers, a Discrete Choice Experiment was carried out in The Netherlands. For this study, eight BRT characteristics were included. Results (n = 1019) show that four characteristics are valued the most: frequency, service hours, reliability and stop spacing. The attractiveness of three different service formulas or configurations is evaluated. The more conventional bus configuration is preferred by the majority of the respondents. However, a considerable amount (25%) of respondents that prefer this configuration does not consider using this service formula. Configurations that either address offering more passenger comfort or higher capacity, do seem to be attractive to distinct passenger segments who are more likely to actually use the service. These appealing BRT configurations address different types of passenger segments and therefore could coexist on certain routes.

Vibration Reduction in Passenger Vehicle by Optimization of Propeller Shaft Design

In Passenger segments, vehicles floor vibration is one of the major cause which leads to discomfort for passengers. There are several locations for vibration, one of the location is Floor of the bus where passengers will feel the vibration directly while sitting on the seats and while standing on the Gangways. So acceleration levels in passenger segment should be as per AIS 153 standard. The objective of this paper is, of all the available causes for vibration, we will discuss about the middle floor vibrations raised by Propeller shaft and how to mitigate the problem by various focused design proposals on Propeller shaft. Here, we will be reviewing the Bus segment which has a Double Piece Propeller shaft design configuration.

Применение алгоритмов маршрутизации агента при разработке дискретно-событийных имитационных моделей с использованием инструментов железнодорожной библиотеки Anylogic

The developed algorithms for choosing a railway track by an agent (train, railcar, locomotive, etc.) are described for discrete-event modeling of the technological operation of railway transport using the tools of the Anylogic railway library. Various options for choosing a track are considered: sequential and multidirectional search, random selection, selecting tracks of even/ odd numbering, selecting a track using a ternary operator. The advantages and disadvantages of each of the options are specified. The paper presents JAVA code listings which allow developers of simulation models to quickly apply the proposed algorithms to practice when developing simulation discrete-event models of technological operation of railway transport in the AnyLogic environment. The use of the presented algorithms allows us to avoid hypertrophy of the process diagram architecture, make the model understandable and scalable. For the convenience of perception of the material, all the presented algorithms for choosing a free track are considered on the example of the track development of a dead-end station. In the cargo segment, such stations are often an element of the transport infrastructure development of sea and river ports, as well as large industrial enterprises. In the passenger segment they are passenger stations of large settlements.

Mask-Wearing Onboard Airplanes During COVID-19 - Identifying Passenger Segments Using Cluster Analysis

The COVID-19 crisis has had an unprecedented impact on air traffic, but its long-term effect on how people view and conduct air travel could be more significant. While some studies have identified factors that can affect the perception of COVID-19 and behaviors in transportation, few have examined factor impact at the segment level, especially with respect to mask-wearing as a protective measure onboard airplanes during COVID-19. This study fills the research gap by identifying passenger segments with different perceptions of mask use onboard airplanes, and which factor in the theory of planned behavior (TPB) model can be best distinguished in the different segments. Survey data was collected from MTurk for cluster analysis, which considered the comfort of mask-wearing, risk avoidance, and information-seeking jointly as the cluster variates. The analysis led to the formation of three passenger segments: 1) Comfort First – most attention was paid to the comfort of mask-wearing; 2) Risk Avoider – the greatest importance was given to avoiding the risk and searching for information about COVID-19; and 3) Balanced Group – having a balanced view on the importance of the three cluster variables. The multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that the three passenger segments differed most in their attitude toward masks, suggesting that attitude, compared to the other two TPB constructs (subjective norms and perceived behavioral control) can best predict the cluster membership of air travelers with regards to mask-wearing onboard airplanes. The findings provide useful guidance for the airline industry to recover safely and effectively from the COVID-19 pandemic, and may aid in preparations for future pandemics.

Транспорт северных районов Дальнего Востока России: динамика в условиях шоков

The purpose of the study is to analyze the dynamics of the transport complex of the northern regions of the Russian Far East during the period of negative non-economic shocks of 2020–2022. The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) was adopted as the object of the study, the work of transport of which was considered against the background of the general indicators of the Far Eastern Federal District and the Russian Federation. The specifics of the passenger segment of the region are shown, manifested in a smaller rate of decline in traffic in 2020 and higher rates of their recovery in 2021 compared to the Russian Federation and the Far Eastern Federal District. This dynamics confirms the importance and lack of alternatives to public transport in ensuring the mobility of the population of the republic. Differences in the growth (decrease) rates of transportation in the cargo segment of transport of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and the Far Eastern Federal District are revealed, which are determined by the non-participation of the northern regions of the Far East in servicing the annually increasing flows of foreign economic cargo, which have a key impact on the formation of region-wide trends. The growth in the volume of work of the microregion’s transport is associated with the reorientation of Russia’s foreign trade to Asian countries and a change in the logistics chains of foreign economic interactions bypassing unfriendly countries. Changes in the conditions for the functioning of the transport complex of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) are indirectly manifested in the formation of new projects for the development of transport infrastructure, creating alternative routes for entering the foreign market for manufacturers in the region (Elga – Chumikan railway), and in increasing the importance of infrastructure projects that minimize the use of overloaded facilities of the transport complex of the Far Eastern Federal District for intraregional transportation (railway bridge across the Lena River, Yakutsk – Magadan railway)

Ageing passenger perceptions of ground access journeys to airports: A survey of UK residents

In common with other developed nations, the UK population is ageing. This has impacts on all areas of economic and social activity, including transport and air travel. This paper aims to provide an initial assessment of the ground access journeys to UK airports made by ageing (65+ years) air travellers, a topic hitherto unexplored by the academic research community. Using data from two online surveys (each with 600 respondents) undertaken in 2020 of 1200 different ageing UK residents, this exploratory research reveals that the ease of undertaking the journey and comfort are key factors in determining ground access choice whilst environmental issues play a minimal role. Whilst this paper offers new insights into the ground access journeys of ageing air passengers, it also makes recommendations for future research that needs to be undertaken to further academic understandings of the needs and attitudes of this important, and growing, passenger segment.

Service Quality and Passenger Satisfaction of Airlines with Special Reference to Students of Christ College (Autonomous) Irinjalakuda

Service sector has become more relatively important as it has become a most essential part of any economy. One of the industries in this service sector is the Airlines industry. Being one of the modes of transport that propels the economic activity of a Nation, it has become essential to study the quality of service that should be made available to the users by this industry. So far the focus on airline service research has been to identify airline selection criteria and performance rankings. Of late the focus of research efforts has shifted to examine the issues inherent in various passenger segments. Prime objective of this study is to analyse the relationship between air passengers’ class of service and their perception of service quality and also purpose of the trip, and satisfaction. This investigation indicates that majority of respondents perceived that responsiveness is most important, followed by tangibility, empathy, assurance and reliability. In contrary, consumer satisfaction level is more for tangibility followed by responsiveness, reliability, empathy and assurance.

Profitable market mechanism for platform-based aggregator taxi services

For platform based aggregator taxi services, selling the rides through appropriate channels is critical. Typically, aggregators use a listed price strategy in the regular and opaque channels for the passengers. The listed price channels’ rigidity restricts the passengers to only accept or reject rides without further involvement. We propose an additional ‘Name Your Own Price’ (NYOP) channel with opaqueness in terms of features and extra waiting time that captures the passengers’ and drivers’ preference. The passengers with low ride valuation who were previously priced out of the market can be accommodated by NYOP since it offers rides at a reduced price. In our model for the drivers, we specifically analyze an incentive-practice where the drivers are offered a lump-sum amount for completing a threshold number of trips on a day-to-day basis. When such incentives are offered by the aggregator to the drivers, we find that a rational driver in NYOP should aggressively bid for a ride if the driver is away from the threshold for incentives, and vice versa. We show that with higher levels of opacity, the aggregator can achieve higher levels of passenger segmentation that in turn increases the overall aggregator’s revenue. Also, NYOP offers additional rides for drivers, which will generate extra revenue, and it also helps them reach the incentive threshold set by the aggregator. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the increase in the number of rides due to NYOP can be capitalized by the aggregator for generating additional revenue.