Robust Optimization Model for Integrated Aircraft Scheduling Based on Delay Propagation

In order to alleviate the impact of flight delays on the flight operation, a double objective network flow robust optimization model for integrated aircraft scheduling was presented based on analysis of the delay propagation characteristics and its distribution. The first objective was to minimize the propagated delay, and the second was to minimize the airline operation cost. Then, the model was verified using the actual operation data from a major domestic airline, and a branch-and-price solution and a column generation algorithm were used to solve the problem. Computational results show that our approach can reduce delay propagation by 41%. Compared with the airline actual flight schedule and the non-robust integrated aircraft scheduling model, the total cost was decreased by 11.33% and 9.93%, respectively.