Search Results (33)

Flight delays represent a significant challenge for airlines, airports, and passengers, impacting operational costs and customer satisfaction. Traditional prediction methods often rely on complex statistical analysis and mathematical models that may not be easily implementable. This study proposes scorecards as an innovative and simplified approach to forecast flight delays. Historical flight data from the United States were used, incorporating variables such as departure and arrival times, flight routes, aircraft types, and other factors related to delay. Exploratory data analysis identified key variables influencing delays, and scorecards were constructed by assigning weights, normalizing, and scaling variables to improve interpretability. The model was validated using test datasets, and predictive performance was evaluated by comparing forecast delays with actual results. The results indicate that scorecards provide accurate and interpretable predictions of flight delays. This method facilitates the identification of critical factors that contribute to delays and allows for an estimation of their likelihood and duration. Scorecards offer a practical tool for airlines and airport operators, potentially enhancing decision-making processes, reducing delay-related costs, and improving service quality. Future research should explore the integration of scorecards into operational systems and the inclusion of additional variables to increase model robustness and generalizability. Full article

Airline customers will often complain to the relevant authorities if they encounter an unpleasant flight experience. The specific complaint information can directly reflect the various service problems encountered, so conducting in-depth research on public air transport passenger complaints can reveal important details for improving service. Therefore, by analyzing the passenger complaint data of relevant civil aviation departments in China, we propose a method for identifying key topics of passenger complaints based on text mining. We organically integrate sentiment analysis, topic modeling and association rule mining. A new complaint text analysis framework is constructed, which provides new perspectives and ideas for complaint text analysis and related application fields. First, we calculate the sentiment orientation of the complaint text based on the sentiment dictionary method and filter complaint texts with strong negative sentiment. Then, we compare the two topic modeling methods of LDA (Latent Dirichlet Allocation) and LSA (Latent Semantic Analysis). Finally, we select the better LDA method to extract the main topics hidden in the passenger complaint text with high negative emotional intensity. We use the Apriori algorithm to mine the association rules between the complaint topic words and the service problem classification labels on the complaint text. We use the FP-growth algorithm to mine the association rules between the complaint subject words and the service problem classification labels on the complaint text. By comparing the Apriori algorithm with the FP-growth algorithm, the results of mining the support, confidence and promotion of the association rules show that the Apriori algorithm is more efficient. Finally, we analyze the causes of specific service problems and suggest improvement strategies for airlines and airports. Full article

To reduce airport operational costs and minimize environmental pollution, an increasing number of airports are transitioning from fuel-powered to electric ground-handling vehicles. However, the limited battery capacity of electric vehicles and the need for charging make the scheduling of these vehicles more complex. To address this scheduling problem, this paper proposes an electric ground-handling vehicle scheduling algorithm that combines the MAMBA model with an attention-based neural network. The MAMBA model is designed to process multi-dimensional features such as flight information, vehicle locations, service demands, and time window constraints. Subsequently, an attention mechanism-based neural network is developed to dynamically integrate vehicle states, service records, and operational and charging constraints, in order to select the most suitable flights for electric ground-handling vehicles to service. The experiments use flight data from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport and compare the proposed method with CPLEX solvers, existing heuristic algorithms, and custom heuristic algorithms. The results demonstrate that the proposed method not only effectively solves the electric ground-handling vehicle scheduling problem and provides high-quality solutions, but also exhibits good scalability in different parameter settings and real-time scheduling scenarios. Full article

Based on the projected growth in passenger air traffic and the need for better utilization of existing capacities, the level of service (LOS) concept in the design and planning of airport terminal facilities is crucial. By monitoring and quickly responding to expected changes in passengers’ and airlines’ needs, better utilization of airport terminal facilities in the passenger terminal can be achieved. The factors that influence the level of service (LOS) from the passenger perspective were evaluated in order to improve the user experience. Definitions of the level of service, key indicators of customer satisfaction, and a decision-making process using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method are described. A survey questionnaire was developed, passengers’ preferences were collected, and an analysis of the results was conducted. A hierarchical AHP decision-making model with associated criteria and sub-criteria was developed to determine the optimal level of service for low-cost carriers. Finally, by using the AHP model, new spatial–temporal parameters for the optimal level of service (LOS) for low-cost carriers (LCCs) are proposed, developed, and presented. The main objective is to adjust the existing LOS concept considering the business characteristics of low-cost carriers, in order to improve the efficiency of airport terminal facilities. Full article

Airport shuttle buses, as a specialized form of bus service, serve as an economical, efficient, and sustainable transportation option for air travelers. In contrast to conventional bus services, airport shuttle bus operations exhibit more pronounced market-oriented characteristics, striving to balance extensive public transport coverage with the optimization of corporate profitability. Although these services outperform regular bus transit in terms of efficiency, they incur higher operational costs. However, existing studies on enhancing profitability and optimizing resource allocation for airport shuttle buses are inadequate. This study proposes a differential pricing strategy based on historical ticketing data. Initially, we analyze the characteristics of orders, users, and reservations within the context of customized bus operations. Leveraging the differences among various groups, we employ clustering techniques to classify seat grades and segment users. Based on the clustering outcomes, we determine distinct price elasticity values for each segment. As the strategies are developed based on seat grades, booking time, and user travel patterns, the numerical experiments indicate that the proposed differentiated pricing strategy can increase the revenue of customized public transport services by at least 41%. This strategy not only enhances the efficiency of resource allocation and service accessibility but also makes the service more financially sustainable. Full article

By exploring the top three airports in Asia, this study explores the area of smart airport systems. With the goal of analyzing the significant elements of airport services that captivate travelers’ attention through online reviews and establishing a correlation between sentiment in reviews and numerical ratings given by travelers, the study analyzes what captivates travelers’ attention. Data mining, frequency analysis, sentiment analysis, and linear regression are employed in this study in order to analyze a dataset of 10,202 online reviews. The results indicate that the most common attributes of airport services significantly impact customer satisfaction, as well as how the sentiment expressed in online reviews correlates with the numerical ratings. A significant contribution of this study lies in its contribution to understanding the dynamics of customer satisfaction in the field of airport services as well as in identifying areas for improvement that could enhance the overall traveler experience in the burgeoning field of smart airports. In the context of smart airport systems, the analysis of exploratory and predictive data provides valuable insights into the optimization of airport operations, thus enriching the body of knowledge in this rapidly evolving area and providing the foundation for future research. Full article

Throughout the last decade, chatbots have gained widespread adoption across various industries, including healthcare, education, business, e-commerce, and entertainment. These types of artificial, usually cloud-based, agents have also been used in airport customer service, although there has been limited research concerning travelers’ perspectives on this rather techno-centric approach to handling inquiries. Consequently, the goal of the presented study was to tackle this research gap and explore potential use cases for chatbots at airports, as well as investigate travelers’ acceptance of said technology. We employed an extended version of the Technology Acceptance Model considering Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Trust, and Perceived Enjoyment as predictors of Behavioral Intention, with Affinity for Technology as a potential moderator. A total of $n=191$ travelers completed our survey. The results show that Perceived Usefulness, Trust, Perceived Ease of Use, and Perceived Enjoyment positively correlate with the Behavioral Intention to use a chatbot for airport customer service inquiries, with Perceived Usefulness showing the highest impact. Travelers’ Affinity for Technology, on the other hand, does not seem to have any significant effect. Full article

As the world transitions from the COVID-19 pandemic to a new normal, the Airports Council International (ACI) has disclosed that the Asia-Pacific region is lagging other regions in terms of air traffic recovery. This research comprehensively examines passenger satisfaction at leading airports in Southeast Asia. A multimethod approach incorporating multiple regression analysis, Bayesian networks, and neural network analysis was utilized to scrutinize user-generated content from Skytrax. The study contemplates eight distinct attributes of airport customer ratings: queuing time, cleanliness, seating areas, signage, food services, retail options, Wi-Fi availability, and staff courtesy. The findings reveal that queuing time and staff courtesy are the most important factors influencing the overall airport service rating. These results provide empirical evidence supporting the enhancement of airport services in the region and contribute significantly to the theoretical understanding and managerial implications for airport management and authorities. This research thus offers a valuable resource for improving service quality and operational efficiency in the airport industry, which could lead to a recovery and increase in the number of air passengers in this region. Full article

Background: The air cargo logistics industry has been deemed reluctant to adopt new technologies for their business operations. So, this study aims to examine the adoption of technological innovations in the air cargo logistics industry in South Africa. The specific objective is to emphasise the effects of technologies on air cargo logistics operations to address the reluctance to adopt technological innovations in the industry. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted randomly on three hundred and seventy-three (373) cargo agents at the OR Tambo International Airport. The data were subjected to a nonparametric test with Kruskal–Wallis, exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis to explore the effects of technologies for prompt adoption and implementation of emerging innovations that enhance quality service delivery. Results: The study found that promptly adopting emerging technological innovations in the air cargo logistics industry promotes efficient operations, improves warehousing, and enhances cargo delivery services for customer satisfaction. Also, the study established that technologically driven operations and warehousing are significant determinants of quality service delivery in the air cargo logistics industry. Conclusions: This study encourages the prompt adoption and implementation of technological innovations for improved quality service delivery, customer satisfaction, and loyalty in the air cargo logistics industry. Full article

The goal of this paper is to propose a smart airport solution, which is customer-oriented and suitable for an airport at the beginning of the process of digitization. Such a solution is represented by a mobile application, which allows the airport to provide its customers with basic information faster, more efficiently, in a simpler manner, and without the need for face-to-face interaction. The data collected through a smart airport mobile application can be used in conjunction with other technologies or systems for predictive modeling and analysis. The main benefit of the paper is the primary research aimed at the identification of customer requirements for a specific airport from the perspective of services and functions that the mobile application should offer. Subsequently, based on the analysis, a proposal for an airport application for mobile devices is developed through UX and UI design. The design consists of six successive phases and results in the development of an interactive prototype of the required mobile application. In addition, the paper discusses how the data collected through a smart airport mobile application can potentially be used in conjunction with other technologies or systems for predictive modeling and analysis. Full article

Integrated technology management in building smart ports or intelligent ports is a crucial concern for global sustainable development, especially when human societies are facing increasing risks from climate change, sea-levels rising, and supply chain disruptions. By mapping the knowledge base of 103 papers on intelligent ports, retrieved in late December 2022 from the Web of Science, this study conducted a roadmapping exercise using knowledge mapping findings, assisted by Bibliometrix, VoSviewer, and customized Python scripts. The three structural (intellectual, social, and conceptual) aspects of knowledge structure reveal the significance of the internet of things (IoT), the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0), digitalization and supply chains, and the need for digital transformation alignment across various stakeholders with Industry 4.0 practices. Furthermore, an even geographical distribution and institutional representation was observed across major continents. The results of the analysis of the conceptual structure demonstrated the existence of several established and emerging clusters of research, namely (1) industry data, IoT, and ICT, (2) industry 4.0, (3) smart airports, (4) automation; and (5) protocol and security. The overall empirical findings revealed the underlying technology and innovation management issues of digital transformation alignment across stakeholders in IoT, Industry 4.0, 5G, Big Data, and AI integrated solutions. In relation to roadmapping, this study proposed a socio-technical transition framework for prototyping ecosystem innovations surrounding smart sustainable ports, focusing on contributing to valuable carbon or greenhouse gas emission data governance, management, and services in global value chains. Full article

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyse the role of the main 50 US cargo airports and 25 air cargo airlines in the logistics of e-commerce companies from 2000 to 2020, to highlight the importance of airports in the logistics and e-commerce industries. Methods: A review of the relevant literature on airports, air cargo carriers, logistics, and e-commerce sectors was undertaken to understand the link between them. The data were collected using four criteria: airport category, airport location, top 25 air cargo carriers, and other relevant data from the Federal Aviation Administration, International Air Transport Association, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, US Department of Transportation, amongst many others. Results: The findings reveal that there is a consolidated relationship between airports, air cargo airlines, and e-commerce, which has been especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Airports and air cargo carriers are identified as the most relevant partners in the e-commerce industry. This is because of the e-commerce sector and its users’ demand for speed and reliability in the interaction between the demand for and supply of products and services. Conclusions: The pandemic has changed the way in which organizations operate and is likely to create new demand from companies and users in the aviation and e-commerce industries. E-commerce companies are highly dependent on the quality and efficiency of air cargo airlines and airports because they need to provide a good shipping service for their products to customers. Full article

The aviation sector is constantly expanding and it is strongly influenced by external factors, which gives rise to significant competition between airlines. One of the most effective ways for an airline to gain a competitive advantage is to keep its customers as loyal users of the provided services, able to provide airlines with a stable revenue for the services they sell. The purpose of this paper was to identify the factors that have the greatest impact on airline passengers’ loyalty. This study analyzed the data from passengers of two classes: prestige (business) and economy. Prestige (business) passengers pay more attention to service quality (beverage and food selection, service and quality, especially accessibility, etc.), privacy, individual attention, and airline reliability, while economy class passengers focus on price and basic perception of service quality. Data were collected from 409 passengers who travelled from Lithuania airports (Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga) to other countries. The results suggest that there are different factors of in-flight service quality that are important according to the customer seat class. The results indicate that 71% of passenger loyalty is explained by image and image is explained by satisfaction. In addition, service quality and price are found to have positive effects on satisfaction. Compared with price, service quality is found to be a stronger determinant of satisfaction. Full article

This paper aims to analyze the causes of flight delays of a selected airline operating in Europe and identify potential risks and reasons for delays in air transport, which carry risk, especially in connection with passenger dissatisfaction and the resulting need to pay compensation for delayed flights, according to EU law, which brings significant financial costs for airlines. Data collected from the years 2013–2019 have been used for the purposes of this article, including data on the duration and causes of the delays and the characteristics of individual flights, such as the flight type, aircraft type, time of departure, aircraft capacity, and the load factor. Multidimensional statistics methods have been applied for data processing, namely tests of independence and correspondence analysis. Dependencies have been presented in graphical form using correspondence maps. The analysis shows that the total share of delayed flights of the company in question does not increase over the mentioned period of time. The analysis furthermore proved that higher capacity aircraft were rather prone to longer delays. The share of delayed charter flights declined slightly over the period under review, while the number of delays caused by airline operating reasons, aircraft clearance by supplier companies, technical maintenance and aircraft defects, operating procedures, and crew flight standards and airport restrictions is increasing. The analysis also shows that the delays propagated by the delays of the previous flights are becoming more frequent, with the exception of the year 2019. In the last pre-COVID year, air traffic control could boast about a positive trend regarding the number of produced delays over the years, contributing to greater air passenger satisfaction and airline service quality. Due to the gradual revival of air transport after the COVID pandemic lockdowns, the topic of flight delays, passenger customer satisfaction and financial costs for the resulting delays is once again an actual issue for air management and operation. Full article

The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools into mechanical devices in routine use within the aviation industry has heightened cyber-security concerns. The extent of the inherent vulnerabilities in the software tools that drive these systems escalates as the level of integration increases. Moreover, these concerns are becoming even more acute as the migration within the industry in the deployment of electronic-enabled aircraft and smart airports gathers pace. A review of cyber-security attacks and attack surfaces within the aviation sector over the last 20 years provides a mapping of the trends and insights that are of value in informing on future frameworks to protect the evolution of a key industry. The goal is to identify common threat actors, their motivations, attacks types and map the vulnerabilities within aviation infrastructures most commonly subject to persistent attack campaigns. The analyses will enable an improved understanding of both the current and potential future cyber-security protection provisions for the sector. Evidence is provided that the main threats to the industry arise from Advance Persistent Threat (APT) groups that operate, in collaboration with a particular state actor, to steal intellectual property and intelligence in order to advance their domestic aerospace capabilities as well as monitor, infiltrate and subvert other sovereign nations’ capabilities. A segment of the aviation industry commonly attacked is the Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, the most prominent type of attack being malicious hacking with intent to gain unauthorised access. The analysis of the range of attack surfaces and the existing threat dynamics has been used as a foundation to predict future cyber-attack trends. The insights arising from the review will support the future definition and implementation of proactive measures that protect critical infrastructures against cyber-incidents that damage the confidence of customers in a key service-oriented industry. Full article