In the context of the project iFleetPro (Integrated consideration of passenger demand and network for the optimization of the fleet portfolio) the FSR is developing a novel integrated approach for fleet and network optimization under consideration of passenger demand within the framework of a research cooperation with MKmetric GmbH and a European airline.

The planning of the route network and fleet deployment of airlines has so far been based on travel route information from departure to arrival airport which means that various factors influencing passenger demand are not taken into account (e.g. the cannibalisation of flight offers or the accessibility of airport locations).

In addition, for the development of new aircraft types, aircraft manufacturers ask airlines about their wishes, route requirements and business models in order to derive the corresponding design parameters for the new aircraft types.

These isolated approaches can lead to an airline's network development strategy reflecting only a limited event space with resulting erroneous route requirements, or to entire aircraft types being developed without commercial success (e.g. A380). This misallocation of resources results in considerable damage, not only to business operations but also to the economy.

The aim of the research project is the development of an integrated model system which enables the planning of future transport networks and the means of transport required for them on the basis of regional demand forecasts. This should enable the optimisation of the economic network result under consideration of technical design parameters of the aircraft, costs in the generated flight network, achievable revenues and operational routings. In addition, the calculation of different flight network scenarios will show which design parameters of an aircraft fit the existing market in order to avoid misinvestments in aircraft development on the one hand and to enable a dynamic network strategy on the other hand.

Within the research project, the FSR is developing a routing procedure which is to interact with a regionalised forecast procedure. In addition to the aircraft deployment to be optimised, passenger demand is also taken into account. For this purpose, continental air traffic is considered and the fleet and network planning of an airline is optimised.

This project (HA project no.: 860/20-17) is funded by the State of Hesse and HOLM as part of the measure “Innovations in the field of logistics and mobility” of the Hessian Ministry of Economics, Energy, Transport and Housing.