Regional Airlines Research Articles

Research on Separation and Emission Reduction of Regional Airliner Based on Wake Encounter Response Model

To ensure the safety of aircraft operation, the current regional passenger aircraft maintains a large distance from the preceding aircraft in actual operation, which result in reducing the operation efficiency of airports and airspace, and increasing pollutant emissions. To address these issues, in this paper, two aircraft types are selected in which the CRJ-900 encounters the trailing wake vortices of the A380 in front. An improved strip model is developed to build the CRJ-900 overall response wake encounter value. First, the safety of the CRJ-900 longitudinal and lateral wake encounters in different flight stages is analyzed. Second, we calculate the critical safety separation and its impact on air transport efficiency. Third, we use the LTO model to measure the reduction of aircraft fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. The results demonstrated that the medium-sized aircraft CRJ-900 has the potential to reduce the wake separation when following the super-heavy A380 aircraft. In terms of the critical safety separation calculated by the safety index, the operating efficiency of airports and airspace could be effectively improved, allowing the reduction of pollutant emissions during aircraft take-off and landing. During the takeoff, level flight, and landing phase, the results are summarized as follows: when the CRJ-900 is 13km away from the A380, the maximum lift variation is 11334N, 8157N, and 7366N; the maximum rolling moment variation is 43836N•M, 35274 N•M, and 28487 N•M; the maximum value of the rolling moment coefficient (RMC) is 0.0171, 0.0160, and 0.0130; when the RMC critical value is 0.031, the maximum safe separation for different flight stages is 11960m, which is 1040m shorter than the existing separation; when the RMC critical value is 0.05, the maximum safe separation distance of each stage is 10083m, a reduction of 2917m compared with the existing separation; when the RMC threshold is 0.07, the maximum safe separation of different flight stages is 9021m, a reduction of 3979m compared to the existing separation; when the RMC value is between 0.031-0.07, the fuel consumption can be reduced by 7.9%–12.8%, and the pollutant emission can be reduced by 9.1%–12.8%.

Synthetic control methods for policy analysis: Evaluating the effect of the European Emission Trading System on aviation supply

In this paper, we provide a novel application of synthetic control methods by offering two major modifications to the existing methodological framework. We provide the first complete ex-post evaluation of the causal impact of carbon pricing on aviation supply, expressed in terms of airline output (i.e., number of seats supplied at the airline-route level). We investigated the policy change in the European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS), the first large greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme in the world. We distinguish between low-cost, regional and full service airlines, short and medium/long-haul routes, routes towards (or from) hub airports versus non-hub airports, monopolistic versus non-monopolistic routes. The analysis shows that the EU ETS does not have a substantial impact on the average aircraft size, while it has caused a reduction of total airline seat capacity and flight frequency, with the percentage of airline seat capacity reduction reaching above 20% at its peak. The overall effect of the policy has a remarkable impact on low-cost and regional airlines, short-haul routes, spoke–spoke markets and monopolistic routes. Our results are the first empirical confirmation to the theoretical prediction in the aviation literature that emission charges will reduce flight frequency and increase load factors while having no effect on aircraft size.

Adaptive Initial Sizing Method and Safety Assessment for Hybrid-Electric Regional Aircraft

In the wake of many climate-friendly initiatives, the aviation sector must become more sustainable. A potential path for regional airliners could be the installation of hybrid-electric powertrains. In this work, a conceptual study design of various powertrain architectures is conducted. This helps the designer to quickly generate approximate numbers on the basic characteristics of new aircraft configurations. These results can be used to advance subsystems modeling or improve the starting values in the following preliminary aircraft design. After the selection of representative architectures, reasonable technological assumptions were gathered, ranging between a conservative and an optimistic scenario. This was done for powertrain components, various energy storage concepts and structural and aerodynamic changes. The initial sizing method was developed by building two interconnected sizing iteration loops. In addition, a safety assessment was integrated due to the many unconventional components in the powertrain’s setup. The results show that the fuel consumption of a conventional aircraft is not undercut with a hybrid-electric powertrain aircraft based on conservative technological assumptions. In the optimistic scenario, however, selected powertrain architectures show a significant drop in fuel consumption when compared to the conventional one. Furthermore, the use of synergistic effects and systematic powertrain optimizations can decrease the fuel consumption even further. In conclusion, it was shown that this initial sizing method can calculate entire hybrid-electric aircraft designs on a conceptual level. The results can quickly present trends that are reasonable and helpful. In addition, the safety assessment first gives evidence about which levels of safety have to be considered for the different components in the development of hybrid-electric powertrains.

Vulnerability of Regional Aviation Networks Based on DBSCAN and Complex Networks

To enhance the accuracy of performance analysis of regional airline network, this study applies complex network theory and Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) algorithm to investigate the topology of regional airline network, constructs node importance index system, and clusters 161 airport nodes of regional airline network. Besides, entropy power method and approximating ideal solution method (TOPSIS) is applied to comprehensively evaluate the importance of airport nodes and complete the classification of nodes and identification of key points; adopt network efficiency, maximum connectivity subgraph and network connectivity as vulnerability measurement indexes, and observe the changes of vulnerability indexes of key nodes under deliberate attacks and 137 nodes under random attacks. The results demonstrate that the decreasing trend of the maximum connectivity subgraph indicator is slower and the decreasing trend of the network efficiency and connectivity indicators is faster when the critical nodes of the regional airline network are deliberately attacked. Besides, the decreasing trend of the network efficiency indicator is faster and the decreasing trend of the maximum connectivity subgraph indicator is slower when the nodes of four different categories are randomly attacked. Finally, it is proposed to identify and focus on protecting critical nodes in order to better improve the security level of regional airline system.

Coupling Hybrid Energy Storage System to Regenerative Actuators in a More Electric Aircraft: Dynamic Performance Analysis and CO2 Emissions Assessment concerning the Italian Regional Aviation Scenario

Considering an estimated growth rate by four percent per year for commercial and passengers airline to date, the aircraft industry is looking for new solutions in order to meet new stringent policies aimed at the greenhouse gases and pollutants reduction. In such framework, the concept of a More Electric Aircraft has been developing in order to introduce electrical systems for energy recovery and storage on-board. In this paper, a dynamic model of a hybrid energy storage system composed by a LiFePO4 battery and a supercapacitor, coupled to eight regenerative electro-mechanical actuators (r-EMAs) employed for the flight control surface, is implemented to store recovered energy and to drive r-EMAs. A proper management strategy is developed aiming to reduce battery solicitations, imposing a discharge at constant rate to maintain supercapacitor state of charge within the operating limits. Therefore, the instantaneous power demand/generation by the actuators is totally managed by the supercapacitor, due to its high power to capacity ratio and very long lifespan. Such strategy allows, with respect to the case of a not hybrid storage section constituted by a LiFePO4 battery, to reduce the storage section weight, extend battery lifetime since dangerous power spikes are accomplished by the supercapacitor, as well as recover energy thanks to the installation of the r-EMAs. Furthermore, an in-depth assessment is carried out in reference to the Italian «regional airline» scenario. In detail, the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, associated with the weight saving and energy recovery introduced by HESS coupling to the regenerative actuators, has been evaluated with respect to conventional non-regenerative EMAs driven by a LiFePO4 battery. The analysis has been conducted for the single aircraft and for the estimated fleet for Italian national flights over a long term operating scenario and compared to the CO2 emissions produced in Italy by power generation, in order to quantify the benefits inherent to a massive introduction of such a system in air fleets.

Перспективы посткризисного развития рынка пассажирских авиаперевозок Республики Азербайджан

The purpose of the study is to present a model of the prospective development of the passenger air transportation market of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the conditions of overcoming the crisis caused by the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the analysis of the activities of the national airlines «AZAL» and «Buta Airways», taking into account the statistical data of the passenger traffic growth of the Heydar Aliyev International Airport (Baku), as well as data on the development of the national tourism industry, a model of promising development of directions in the structure of the route network of the Heydar Aliyev International Airport is presented. The result of the research is the construction of a model for the prospective development of new directions in the structure of the route network of the Heydar Aliyev International Airport. The main principles of the post-crisis model of the development of the national market, according to the author, is the need to develop the segment of low-cost air transportation. The presented model of the route network development includes the development of the directions of the national budget airline «Buta Airways», as well as the expansion of cooperation with foreign budget airlines «Fly Arystan» (Republic of Kazakhstan), «Wizz Air» (Hungary), and in addition, the development of cooperation with Russian regional airlines, and first of all with the airline «Azimut» as one of the dynamically developing regional airlines of the Russian Federation.

Predicting regional airline traffic using a polynomial trend line

Predicting regional airline traffic using a polynomial trend line

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON AIR TRAFFIC INDUSTRY: CHALLENGES IN CROATIA

By the end of September, 2020 total worldwide number of Covid-19 infections has surpassed 34 million inhabitants, while the number of deaths caused by health pandemic crisis stands at more than one million. It’s predicted that the year 2020 will see about 10 percent drop in economic growth compared to the previous year. Different macroeconomic scientific and professional authors in their forecasts agree that the worse scenarios will be suffered by global and regional tourism industries together with air transport industry. The consequences of Covid-19 on air transport results in 2020 compared to results in the last three decades are analysed on four different levels - worldwide, European, South-East European and Croatian aviation achievements. Besides, the correlation between the global touristic and air carriers’ results in last three decades is considered in the paper with adequate conclusions. IATA monitors developments related to the Coronavirus outbreak, publishes industry statistics and analysis of COVID-19 impacts on the financial and traffic performance and produces outlook for the global air transport industry. According to its latest forecast, full-year 2020 traffic is expected to be down by 66% compared to 2019 while revenues are expected to fall by even more than demand. ICAO has prepared few models and analyses of final business results with different magnitudes on air transport industry recovery. Special attention and business details in the paper are devoted to the Croatian air transport situation in light of Covid-19 with conclusions, suggestions and proposals for future survival and development scenarios, including appropriate actions and measures as well as state, regional or local financial support. The activities and measures taken by Croatia Airlines can be characterized as an example of good practice in the conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic and are articulated as guidelines for the operations of regional airlines in the mentioned conditions.

Airline effective operations strategy during COVID-19 pandemic: across regional worldwide survey

PurposeThis study aims to identify the effective operational strategies for airlines in a pandemic that allow them to recover and bounce back smoothly.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted quantitative methodology based on secondary data published by the airlines related to operational and performance indicators. The total number of airlines surveyed was 145. The sample of study covers all the following regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America. The data analysis of this research passed through several phases to compare the situation before and during pandemic period.FindingsThe effective operational strategy patterns during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic comprise three hybrid strategies and one scheduling strategy. It appears from these strategy models that four strategic alternatives are available for international airlines to adopt, while two strategic alternatives are available for regional airlines. The strategy alternatives for regional and international airlines are all effective, but those of the international airlines are the more effective ones.Originality/valuePrevious studies rarely adopted the theory of operations strategy configuration (emphasizing taxonomies-based perspective) and the organizational resilience theory (emphasizing capability-based perspective) to identify the effective airlines operations strategy patterns in a pandemic, that allow airlines to recover and bounce back smoothly by analyzing the practices of airlines from different geographic regions worldwide.

Subsidized Regional Airlines as a Sustainable Development Mechanism for Remote Locations Heavily Dependent on Air Transportation

The understanding that air transport induces the economic development of a region has motivated studies on regional air transport and the necessary subsidies for its implementation. Several countries have implemented specific subsidy plans with a focus on integrating their territories through a network of air routes, depending on the funding methods and the results of the investments that were made. However, few studies summarize the geographical conditions of the locations served that justify their dependence on air transport as the only viable means of accessibility. This article seeks to identify the geographical characteristics of these locations to illustrate the conditions that justify the need for subsidies for the operationalization of air transport as a mechanism to promote the minimum sustainability conditions for such locations. We collected socioeconomic data of a set of 1365 subsidized routes of 28 countries from the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania and tracing a profile of localities, classified in nine different clusters. The results indicated that isolated locations in islands, in the polar regions and areas of impenetrable forests have an almost exclusive dependence on air transport as a means of access and that justify the maintenance of subsidies to air routes as a fundamental requirement for the accessibility of the population to services of a social and humanitarian nature.

Prospects for Creating a Regional Budget Airline in the Republic of Crimea

The 2020 crisis caused by the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive influence on the development of regional air travel. Against the background of an overall drop in passenger traffic exceeding 40%, a number of airports in the Southern Federal District have demonstrated positive development dynamics. With the opening of regular flights to cities in the Southern Federal District and the Republic of Crimea, a number of airports in the Central Federal District and the Volga Federal District by the end of 2020 increased passenger traffic due to the development of the domestic route network. The Russian air passenger market demonstrated high growth and development rates during the period of 2009–2019. The underlying factors of growth and development were the implementation of the subsidizing regional air routes program, the development of competition and the increase in the growth rate of production of the regional jet “SSJ-100”. According to the results of activities at the end of 2020, the Russian regional airline (a mono-operator of the “SSJ-100” jet) demonstrated the lowest rate of passenger traffic reduction. The airline also increased its aircraft fleet by 2 units and expanded its regional route network. The Republic of Crimea is a strategically important region of the Russian Federation. Modernization of the regional logistics complex, which includes the development of regular flights to the regions of the Russian Federation, is a priority task of domestic policy. Based on the structural analysis of the air passenger market and the regional logistics system, a model for creating a regional budget airline for the Republic of Crimea is proposed. The result of overcoming the 2008 crisis on the European air passenger market was the strengthening of the role and influence of the budget airlines (increase in market share from 15% to 50% from 2009 to 2019). The low-cost air transportation segment of the Russian market demonstrates high potential for development due to growing demand. The development of regional air transportation is one of the key factors in the development of the national aircraft construction system. The results of the study can be used in developing a strategy for the aviation logistics system of the Republic of Crimea, as well as in developing strategies for the development of regional airports on the island and peninsular territories.

Crashworthiness Optimization Design of Regional Airliner’s Fuselage Section Through Topometry Optimization

An explicit dynamic simulation of the vertical crash of a regional airliner’s middle fuselage section has been conducted to investigate its crashworthiness. The simulation result shows that there are two major acceleration peaks in the crashing process when the crash velocity is . The initial acceleration peak is 15.8 g, and the secondary acceleration peak is 24.2 g with a duration of 0.02 s. The crash load efficiency is only 25.8%. The structural behavior above cannot satisfy the design requirements. In this paper, the topometry optimization method is applied to the crashworthiness design of the aircraft. The crashworthiness design of the fuselage is optimized using the target force–displacement response method proposed by the authors. The results show that the optimized fuselage structure of the airliner will produce more plastic hinges to dissipate the kinetic impact energy during the crash process. Therefore, the initial acceleration peak decreased to 11.7 g (decreased by 25.7%) and the secondary acceleration peak is completely eliminated. The acceleration–time curve is smoother than the initial design, and the crash load efficiency increased to 54.1% from 25.8%.

Relationships Under Stress: Relational Outsourcing in the U.S. Airline Industry After the 2008 Financial Crisis

This paper studies how firms restructure their relational contracts in the face of permanent shocks to the value of their relationships. In the context of the U.S. airline industry, we argue that major carriers enter self-enforcing agreements with their outsourced regional partners because a key aspect of airline operations—the exchange of landing slots under adverse weather—is formally noncontractible. We show empirically that major and regional airlines did not terminate their relational contracts after the 2008 crisis but rather, restructured the scope of such contracts in a way that restored their credibility. In particular, we show that a major airline was less likely to continue outsourcing a route to a regional partner after the 2008 crisis the lower the present discounted value of their preexisting relationship and hence, the larger the negative effect of the crisis on the relational contract’s “self-enforcing range.” This paper was accepted by Joshua Gans, business strategy.

Mastering Automation: New Airline Pilots’ Perspective

ABSTRACT Aircraft accidents over the last decade have raised questions about the most effective way to transition pilots onto new aircraft automation systems. This debate can range from the details contained within aircraft flight manuals to computer-based versus simulator-based training. While some questions are still under consideration, most fall short in the understanding of how pilots “actually” learn. The researchers conducted a longitudinal study focusing on pilot learning; through interviews, observations, and field documentation, 10 pilot trainees from two regional airlines were followed for 5 months throughout their initial airline training. Using joint cognitive systems theory, and concepts from curriculum theory to understand the utility of training programs, the study revealed gaps between the airlines’ intended learning outcomes and the trainees’ actual experiences. The findings demonstrate that automation, as opposed to other aircraft systems, may require different approaches to learning. Recommendations for possible modifications to current pilot training are discussed.

Influence of Change Management on Performance of Airlines in Kenya

Change is becoming an ever-present feature of organisational life. However, many change programmes do not achieve their intended outcomes. This study was done to assess the influence of safety management systems (SMS), leadership styles, organisational culture, and regulatory framework on the performance of airlines in Kenya. This study sought to fill this gap. The objective of the study was to determine how change management influences performance of airlines in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The population of this study was forty-three airlines in Kenya. Stratified random sampling method was used to draw samples of the cases used for the study. The study used primary data collected using semi-structured questionnaires. The questionnaires were administered to the respondents through the drop and pick methods as well as through emails where meetings were constrained by the Corona virus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Descriptive statistics such as mean and frequency distribution were used to analyse the data. Due to considerable policy and structural changes that have taken place in the Kenyan aviation industry over the period 2009-2019, this study provided an empirical analysis of the impact of these policies on the overall performance of airlines in Kenya. More specifically, the impact of the various components affecting airlines organisational performance were analysed. This study will be relevant to policymakers because it will enable them to identify to what extent the safety management systems, leadership styles, organisational culture, and regulatory framework influence the performance of airlines. In turn, they will be able to effectively plan both short and long-term performance objectives for the development of airlines in the country. The study was limited to the airline industry in Kenya and, therefore, further research is recommended incorporating regional and international airlines as well as being conducted in other sectors of the economy. This study relied on primary data and, therefore, was limited to the responses received through the questionnaires. It only covered airlines in Kenya.

BANKRUPTCY ANALYSIS OF NATIONAL AIRLINES COMPANIES IN REGIONAL ASIA AFTER COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) was declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. The main pandemic countermeasure with physical distancing and limitation to travel heavily damaged the airline industry around the world, which slumps the direct revenue to the company. Hence, the industry should utilize this tight cash flow and the volatility business due to high operating costs and the high cost of labor. This situation could be worsening to the various national carrier in Asia already performs poorly far before COVID-19. Therefore, this research will predict the bankruptcy of four national airline companies in regional Asia using a modified version of Altman Z Score and Zmijewski Model. This research will show the current and future condition of financial performance in each company. Those National Airlines, namely PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk. (IHSG: GIAA), Singapore Airlines Ltd. (SGX: CL6), Thai Airways International (BKK: THAI), and Eva Air (TPE:2618). This study's results indicate financial distress and possibly to be bankrupt for two national airlines company, especially in Garuda Indonesia and Thai Airways, compared to other selected national airlines. Thus, those financial distress companies should carefully allocate remaining assets, liquidate the unproductive entities, and perform a company reconstruction to avoid bankruptcy in the future. Keywords: covid-19, bankruptcy analysis, regional airlines industry, modified altman z-score, financial distress

Price Discrimination along Multiple Dimensions: New Evidence from a Regional Airline

I examine the case of a firm that practices both second-degree and third-degree price discrimination. I present a model showing conditions under which the premium for higher quality can either rise or fall as the firm implements group pricing. I then use new data from a regional airline to estimate how the two kinds of price discrimination interact, and how each is affected by changes in competition. I establish three key results, all new to the literature. First, in different markets, the two kinds of price discrimination can either offset or reinforce each other, in a manner that fits the model's predictions. Second, inter-temporal differences in prices are purely driven by price discrimination, rather than by scarcity pricing. Third, competition increases the extent of both kinds of price discrimination.

Self-service and automation for increasing capacity, flow and satisfaction

Billund Airport is an international airport located in the western part of Denmark. The airport has a mix of various airlines — legacy, low-cost, charter and regional airlines. The size of the airport passenger-wise (2018 figures: 3,506,209) segmented into many different passenger categories calls for a very flexible setup in order to support the airlines’ different requirements. One of the basic principles to protect an efficient and streamlined flow is to constantly analyse passenger behaviour and map potentials gaps. This paper will introduce the reader as to how the airport has solved the challenge of having many different processes gathered — and still keeping the passenger experience in mind. The use of automation for the passenger flow is in force: • WEB check-in • KIOSK check-in • Self-service bag drop • Self-service scanning at the entrance to the security area • Self-service boarding • Self-service KIOSK at Arrival Service The buzz word is ‘common use environment’, and the reader will be invited behind the scene and learn — not only why common use environment is essential — but also how the airport has succeeded in having this strategy and what initiatives they have taken in order to support the strategy. Billund Airport has also introduced automation on the ramp side — optimising the processes for baggage handling while also protecting the working environment via the use of power stow and a bulk baggage handling system. Throughout the paper, the different processes are well described, and statistics and photographs illustrate and underline the aim of the content — namely ‘Self-service and automation for increasing capacity, flow and satisfaction’.

An Analysis of the Success Factors for Passenger Boarding Enthusiasm for Low-Cost Regional Airline Routes

Airports are important air transportation facilities, providing cargo transportation, aircraft takeoff and landing, and passenger services. Trade liberalization and globalization along with shifting economies and trading focuses have led to the rapid growth of airline and cargo transportation in Asia-Pacific regions. Therefore, Asian countries are constantly expanding and improving their airport facilities. Thus, improving and measuring airline service quality has attracted significant research attention in recent years. The Chinese Government has also actively promoted low-cost tourism, although competition in low-cost carrier markets was bound to be fierce. This not only promoted tourism industries but also attracted many foreign visitors to taking low-cost carriers to China for sightseeing. With international oil prices and regional economy issues, full-service carriers face considerable operational pressure on cost and competition. This study used the fuzzy delphi and decision making trial and evaluation laboratory methods to explore and analyze key factors for passengers choosing low-cost airlines. We considered passengers using U Airlines to travel from Shanghai to Taiwan (Taoyuan, Kaohsiung Far) and investigated service quality, low-price strategies, switching costs, and boarding willingness factors. We found that boarding willingness and service quality were strongly relevant to passenger satisfaction. Service quality should be prioritized, followed by switching cost, to enhance passenger boarding willingness. Low-cost regional airlines need to prioritize improving service quality empathy and service quality responsiveness with limited resources. Performance indicators such as willingness, service quality assurance, and service quality reliability showed significant benefits for overall service performance and passenger boarding willingness.

Bass + BL + seasonality forecasting method for demand trends in air rail integrated service

The fast expansion of high speed train network acts as a double-edged sword for the development of air passenger transport all over the world. An air-rail integrated service (ARIS) has been regarded as a new trend for the air passenger transport. However, the launch of ARIS involves multiple stakeholders, mainly includes airport, regional railway bureau, airlines and passengers. Thus, the passenger demand forecasting of ARIS, directly impacts on the operations of both airports and airlines, further the development of both regional transport market and economics. This paper proposed a Bass + BL + Seasonality model, which combined Bass diffusion model, disaggregate choice model, and seasonal fluctuations to forecast the passenger demand and trend of ARIS. The ARIS of Shijiazhuang Airport in China was taken as an example to verify its performance. The results showed that compared with other typical methods, the proposed Bass + BL + Seasonality model could forecast the passenger demand trend of ARIS with higher accuracy.