Air Transport Research Society World Conference (ATRS 2013)

Language: Spanish / English

Por primera vez hemos presentado ponencias a la conferencia ATRS, este año celebrada en Bergamo (Italia), un congreso recomendable por la calidad de las ponencias y el feedback recibido.

Lordan O.; Escorihuela, N.; Gonzalez-Prieto, D.; Sallan, J.M.; Simo, P. (2013). Robustness of an airline route network. Air Transport Research Society World Conference (ATRS 2013). Bergamo (Italy).

Abstract: Network strategies used by airline carriers have been a recurring theme in air transport research. Disruption of communication via air routes by intended causes (e.g., terrorist attack on an airport) or unintended (e.g., weather) could be crucial for the operations of airlines affected. Airlines should be able to reduce the effects of such interruptions in order to ensure good communication through air transport (i.e., maximize the robustness of their network at a reasonable cost). To do this, a complex network approach provides us with the network robustness analysis. The literature review of the study of air transport route networks through an analysis of complex networks has highlighted a lack of contributions to the study of the dynamic behavior of such networks which is, however, being analyzed for other transport networks or communication systems. Since the airline carriers have different network strategies - especially considering the use of hub airports where traffic intensifies and therefore exists greater risk to an attack on the hub - it can be seen how the airline carriers respond to intended and unintended airport closures depending on their network configurations.

Keywords: complex networks, airline strategy, robustness, airport closure

Lordan O.; Bigorra. J.; Gonzalez-Prieto, D.; Sallan, J.M.; Simo, P. (2013). Preliminary Study of the Full-Service and Low-Cost Carriers Network Configuration. Air Transport Research Society World Conference (ATRS 2013). Bergamo (Italy).

Abstract: Network strategies used by airline carriers have been a recurring theme in research into air transport. The aim of this paper is to investigate the interrelationship between the different operational characteristics of the airline and its route network configuration. For this purpose, it will analyzed the two main airline carrier typologies - Full-Service and Low-Cost carriers - using empirical models developed on the complex network research and relate them to their business model. It has been developed a preliminary study with multiple airline case studies around the world and been found that, just in Europe, one can differentiate between Full-Service and Low-Cost Carriers by complex network analyses. In this process, it has been also found that new concept of Low-Cost Carriers, as Vueling, have networks properties more similar to Full-Service Carriers. The analysis carried out in this research can help to assess the evolution of the strategies of airline carriers, and has also operational implications, since the configuration of an airline route network can determine its resilience to attacks and errors.

Keywords: complex networks, airline strategy, full-service carriers, low-cost carriers.

Lordan O.; Setien, M.; Gonzalez-Prieto, D.; Sallan, J.M.; Simo, P. (2013). A panel data model of passenger air transport demand. Air Transport Research Society World Conference (ATRS 2013). Bergamo (Italy).

Abstract: Considering the low contribution margins for commercial aviation, it is vital for airline carriers to make a good forecast of changes in demand for a particular region. For this purpose, it has been analyzed the causal relations established between both demographic and regional economic characteristics related to commercial passenger air traffic in Europe. It has been constructed a panel data model considering three main groups of variables: demographic, economic and tourist attractiveness. Preliminary results showed that Eastern andWestern European countries respond to different models. Although the significant explanatory variables are the same in both regions, the coefficients are significantly lower in Eastern European countries. For this reason it has been conduct two parallel models for Eastern and Western European countries that fit with the actual passenger demand in each country with significant results. The proposed models could help airlines to more accurately predict passenger demand in a particular region as well as to decide where to expand or open new routes.

Keywords: airline strategy, panel data, regression model, air transport demand, Europe.