National airspace model: Deterministic optimization of flight frequencies by carrier after airport losses

Brian Levine, Cornell University

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A national, macroscopic airspace model can aid the government in making difficult decisions after the loss of infrastructure. This loss may include an entire airport, a partial airport, or some en route air traffic control facility, all of which would decrease the capacity of the system. Whereas previous optimization models only focused on the decisions a single carrier would have to make, this research extends the formulation to include multiple carriers. Each carrier is assumed to have its own unique aircraft fleet, routes, and hub airports. The goal of the model is to determine revised flight frequencies after a loss of infrastructure, incorporating the notion of equity among the individual airlines in order for the federal government to help maintain the efficiency of the entire system. A 10 airport, 3 carrier test case illustrates the potential contributions of such a model.

Abstract Author(s): Brian Levine