2022 Volume 14 Pages 2377-2395
The aircraft boarding process is one of the main activities in the aircraft turnaround process. Improving the reliability of the boarding process has been a major concern of airlines as well as airport service providers. This paper focuses on the activities inside the boarding process and the factors that affect the boarding time and its variability. A Discrete Event Simulation Model is used to analyze these identified factors such as the boarding strategy, the number of luggage, arrival rate, and walking speed of passengers in different stages of the boarding process. The model is then used to compare the impact on average boarding time and its variability by changing these model parameters. Recommendations are given in the conclusion as to what methods would lead to minimizing average time and variability under different circumstances. Further, the new procedures incorporated in the boarding process under COVID-19 regulations are also evaluated.
