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Analysis of Boarding Strategies on an Airbus A320 Using Discrete Event Simulation

Author

Listed:
  • Hélio Moreira

    (ISEP—School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

  • Luís Pinto Ferreira

    (ISEP—School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
    INEGI—Instituto de Ciência e Inovação em Engenharia Mecânica e Engenharia Industrial, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Nuno O. Fernandes

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, 6000-767 Castelo Branco, Portugal
    ALGORITMI Research Unit, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Ana Luísa Ramos

    (Competitiveness and Public Policies (GOVCOPP), Industrial Engineering and Tourism (DEGEIT), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Paulo Ávila

    (ISEP—School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
    INESC TEC—Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Boarding time constitutes a critical element of turnaround time, which is used to measure the efficiency of airline operations. Therefore, to reduce boarding time, it is imperative to reconsider traditional passenger boarding strategies to make them more efficient. In this sense, this study seeks to analyze the impact of different strategies on boarding times using discrete event simulation on an Airbus 320. Seven boarding strategies have been identified and considered in our study, as follows: random, back-to-front, outside-in, reverse pyramid, blocks, Steffen, and modified optimal. The impact of carrying hand luggage and the presence of priority passengers has been considered, as well as the impact of having a continuous arrival of passengers during the boarding process versus having all passengers available at boarding time. In general, simulation results have pointed out that the outside-in and reverse pyramid strategies are the most effective, improving boarding time by up to 15%, when compared to the random strategy. Moreover, the back-to-front strategy, which is generally implemented by airline companies, has been shown to be the most inefficient strategy. Efficient boarding strategies are expected to contribute to the sustainability of air travel by minimizing the turnaround time, improving operational efficiency, and reducing emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Hélio Moreira & Luís Pinto Ferreira & Nuno O. Fernandes & Ana Luísa Ramos & Paulo Ávila, 2023. "Analysis of Boarding Strategies on an Airbus A320 Using Discrete Event Simulation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:23:p:16476-:d:1292166
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Van Landeghem, H. & Beuselinck, A., 2002. "Reducing passenger boarding time in airplanes: A simulation based approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(2), pages 294-308, October.
    2. Nyquist, David C. & McFadden, Kathleen L., 2008. "A study of the airline boarding problem," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 14(4), pages 197-204.
    3. Steffen, Jason H., 2008. "Optimal boarding method for airline passengers," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 14(3), pages 146-150.
    4. Ren, Xinhui & Xu, Xiaobing, 2018. "Experimental analyses of airplane boarding based on interference classification," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 55-63.
    5. Menkes H. L. van den Briel & J. René Villalobos & Gary L. Hogg & Tim Lindemann & Anthony V. Mulé, 2005. "America West Airlines Develops Efficient Boarding Strategies," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 35(3), pages 191-201, June.
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