Research Reports from the Department of Operations

Authors

Burton V. Dean

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

4-16-1965

Abstract

An international airline has the problem of determining the optimal number of first-class and economy class passengers, as well as the optimal fuel and freight loads to be carried. The airline wishes to find the aircraft loading solution that maximizes total profits. Revenue and cost equations are constructed as functions of the passenger, fuel, and freight variables. A total flight profit function is developed. An aircraft loading model is constructed as a maximization of the profit function subject to seating, fuel, weight, and volume constraints. The optimal value of the loading variables may be determined as the solution to a constrained maximization problem. The approach used in this paper is quantitative as compared to the present method of arriving at loading decisions through the use of consensus and judgment of experienced personnel. The model has not been tested and would be subject to extension and modification before being applied.

Keywords

Operations research, Mathematical optimization, Air travel--Management, Airplanes--Fuel consumption, Linear programming Airlines--Planning

Publication Title

Technical Memorandums from the Department of Operations, School of Management, Case Western Reserve University

Issue

Technical memorandum no. 35

Rights

This work is in the public domain and may be freely downloaded for personal or academic use

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