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Projecte llegit

Títol: Optimizing Airline Operations: The Impact of Free Flow on Time and Fuel Consumption

Estudiants que han llegit aquest projecte:

Director/a: FORNÉS MARTÍNEZ, HECTOR

Departament: FIS

Títol: Optimizing Airline Operations: The Impact of Free Flow on Time and Fuel Consumption

Data inici oferta: 18-07-2023     Data finalització oferta: 18-03-2024


Estudis d'assignació del projecte:
    GR ENG SIST AEROESP
Tipus: Individual
 
Lloc de realització: EETAC
 
Paraules clau:
Optimizing Airline Operations: Analyzing Free Route Airspace and Cost Index Strategies for Enhanced Efficiency and Sustainability
 
Descripció del contingut i pla d'activitats:
This final degree work aims to examine the impact of Free Flow, a
concept that emphasizes smooth and uninterrupted air traffic
management, on airlines' time and fuel consumption. By exploring
the implications of efficient airspace utilization, reduced
delays, and optimized flight routes, this study seeks to evaluate
the benefits and challenges faced by airlines. Through an
analysis of data and industry insights, valuable insights can be
gained to enhance operational efficiency, minimize fuel
consumption, and improve overall performance within the aviation
sector
 
Overview (resum en anglès):
This thesis examines the optimization of airline operations through the implementation of Free Route Airspace (FRA) and the strategic use of Cost Index (CI). The primary objective is to analyze how these elements influence the performance and efficiency of different airlines, focusing on Vueling, Volotea, Ryanair, and EasyJet.

The study begins with a comprehensive review of the theoretical background, including the evolution and benefits of FRA, as well as the concept and application of CI in airline operations. The literature review highlights key insights from existing research and sets the foundation for the analysis.

The methodology involves collecting extensive flight data from Eurocontrol's Aviation Data Repository, covering the period from March 2015 to March 2022. Various parameters such as flight distance, time, speed, flight level, and horizontal flight efficiency (HFE) are calculated and compared for filed and actual flight plans. The data is processed using a combination of custom scripts and functions, facilitating efficient filtering, computation, and visualization of the results.

Key routes selected for analysis include BCN-FCO, BCN-LGW, BIO-SVQ, PMO-VRN, PMO-MXP, and CTA-NAP. These routes are chosen based on criteria such as the number of flights, presence of multiple airlines, and similarity in flight distance and duration. The study investigates the percentage differences between filed and actual data, providing insights into the impact of FRA and CI on operational performance.

The results reveal significant fuel savings, reduced emissions, and improved operational efficiency due to FRA. The analysis also shows how different CI values affect flight parameters, with lower CIs prioritizing fuel efficiency and higher CIs focusing on reducing flight time. For instance, Ryanair's low CI of 6 leads to slower climb and cruise speeds, enhancing fuel savings, while EasyJet's higher CI of 23 results in faster speeds and shorter flight times.

The thesis concludes that the strategic use of FRA and CI can lead to substantial benefits for airlines, including cost savings, environmental sustainability, and enhanced operational flexibility. It also suggests that further studies could explore additional routes or the entire airspace to provide a more comprehensive understanding of these optimization strategies.

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