Evaluating the Feasibility of Reliever and Floating Hub Concepts when a Primary Airline Hub Experiences Excessive Delays

• Publisher: Southwest Region University Transportation Center, Center for Transportation Research, University of Texas
• Pages: 107
• Language: en

Description:... The U.S. air transportation system is dominated by a network of large hub airports. When airline schedule disruptions occur, as a result of meteorological or technical disturbances, the entire national air transportation system can be substantially delayed. This study evaluated the feasibility of using an alternate or reliever hub to connect transfer passengers who otherwise would have flights delayed or canceled as a result of disturbances at the hub airport. The study developed criteria for selecting an alternate hub and evaluated the feasibility of using an alternate hub for the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. This study also developed a genetic algorithm for optimizing an alternate schedule of flights into and out of the alternate hub to minimize direct operating costs and passenger delay. Based upon a case study that used the Austin Bergstrom International Airport as an alternate hub for Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, the research concluded that it would be feasible and profitable to construct the necessary infrastructure to operate the alternate hub in Austin.