Arrival Flight Scheduling Through Departure Delays and Reroutes

Abstract

This paper proposes a linear integer programming (IP) model to determine departure delays and pre-departure rerouting of flights in response to deterministic airspace capacity restrictions. Such models can be used to address demand-capacity problems at an airport's Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON). The IP model is simplified by limiting the decision variables to departure delays and pre-departure rerouting of flights. A case study is used of miles-in-trail restrictions in effect for some arrivals at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The model allows pre-departure rerouting of flights along with assigning departure delays. Excessive delays can be addressed by rerouting while using unused capacity in airspace with low traffic demand. The benefits of optimization of traffic flow management decisions with varying levels of demand can be assessed. Analysis shows that if there is a 300% increase in airspace traffic demand, total delays could be 20-60% lower if pre-departure rerouting is allowed than if it is not.