Journal of Air Transport Management最新文献

{"title":"Investigating the impact of innovative behavior on customer experiential value and satisfaction in the airline omnichannel environment","authors":"İnci Polat ,&nbsp;Osman Sesliokuyucu ,&nbsp;Seden Dogan ,&nbsp;Cihan Cobanoglu","doi":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102932","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102932","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapidly evolving aviation industry, marked by technological advancements, regulatory changes, and market dynamics, necessitates a shift from ticket-centric sales models to holistic travel experiences. Airlines must redefine their offerings to meet evolving customer expectations in this competitive and digitalized environment. Beyond facilitating travel, airlines now focus on delivering comprehensive experiences, integrating ancillary services such as lounge access, fast-track security, onboard amenities, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Furthermore, partnerships are expanding to include specialized services like pet care and door-to-door baggage handling, emphasizing the importance of practical innovation in creating customer experiential value. This study investigates the influence of innovative practices on customer experiential value within airline omnichannel environments. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze data from 285 airline passengers, the findings reveal that innovative behavior significantly enhances customer experiential value, with dimensions such as convenience, entertainment, and self-esteem mediating the relationship between innovation and customer satisfaction. Conversely, dimensions like monetary savings, exploration, and status do not exhibit significant mediation effects, highlighting the nuanced interplay between innovation, experiential value, and satisfaction. The study contributes to the theoretical advancement of service innovation research by demonstrating the critical role of value co-creation in shaping customer satisfaction. It offers practical insights for airline management, emphasizing the strategic importance of innovation in designing customer-centric services that foster loyalty and competitive differentiation in the digital era.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14925,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Air Transport Management","volume":"131 ","pages":"Article 102932"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145575888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Contribution of aircraft types to noise levels across the NOMOS network of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol","authors":"Dick G. Simons ,&nbsp;Alireza Amiri-Simkooei ,&nbsp;Joris A. Melkert ,&nbsp;Mirjam Snellen","doi":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102910","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102910","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The increase in flight volumes in the aviation industry has significant socioeconomic implications that affect different aspects of our communities and economies. Although it has great economic benefits, it also causes annoyance and disturbance to communities living near airports. The latter requires understanding and prediction of the varying noise levels generated by various aircraft types. Noise assessment on a fleet level is traditionally achieved by using prediction models such as the DOC29. Such models need to be validated using real measurements. For Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the so-called NOMOS (Noise Monitoring System) with 39 measurement stations is used for this purpose. We analyze the time series of these stations, collecting annual data for the period from 2006 to 2023. The main objective is to determine how the aircraft-generated noise at these stations can be assigned to 13 different aircraft types, taking into account the different noise levels produced by each aircraft type. This is performed by time series analysis of individual stations and the averaged time series over all stations. The results from two least-squares methods, namely unconstrained least squares (LS) and a proposed bounded least squares subject to weighted constraints (BLS + WC), are compared. The constraints are based on certification data as prior information in the least squares method, which is expected to enhance the model’s performance. Based on the above two least squares methods, predictions are performed for 2022 and 2023. The results clearly demonstrate the superiority of the BLS + WC over the LS method. We further extend our analysis to predict noise levels for a hypothetical future year with more newer aircraft models. The results indicate a substantial reduction in the noise level compared to 2023. These findings can thus underscore the effectiveness of the proposed method in outperforming the LS and highlight the model’s capability to forecast the impact of fleet modernization on noise reduction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14925,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Air Transport Management","volume":"131 ","pages":"Article 102910"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267576","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A sequential approach to airport efficiency evaluation: Integrating two-stage DEA and truncated regression","authors":"Thuong-Truyet Ngo ,&nbsp;Nguyen Tan Huynh ,&nbsp;Ching-Chiao Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102922","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102922","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of Vietnamese airports using a two-stage SBM-DEA model that captures both infrastructure and environmental performance. In the first stage, infrastructure efficiency is assessed through inputs such as terminal area, apron area, and runway area in relation to aircraft movements and fuel burned. The second stage focuses on environmental efficiency, incorporating throughputs and undesirable outputs such as emissions. The results show that only 27.3 % of airports achieve overall efficiency, a proportion significantly lower than the number of airports efficient in individual stages. To investigate potential determinants of performance, a truncated regression model is applied, examining factors such as urban location, hub status, distance to the city center, and population density. The findings reveal that urban location and distance to the city center significantly influence efficiency, while hub status and population density have negligible impacts. This study contributes to the literature by integrating undesirable outputs into a network DEA framework and refining the regression approach to account for contextual variables, offering practical insights for optimizing infrastructure planning and environmental management in Vietnam's aviation sector.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14925,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Air Transport Management","volume":"131 ","pages":"Article 102922"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"At the crossroads of competition, cooperation, and integration: The airline M&A","authors":"Young Kwan Ko,&nbsp;Ju Hyeong Park,&nbsp;Young Dae Ko","doi":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102903","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102903","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There have been many airline mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;As) over the years to cope with the competitive air transport market. It is common for merging airlines to integrate post-M&amp;A because it can increase efficiency and reduce costs through economies of scale and the elimination of duplicate services. However, they may also compete or cooperate as separated companies for reasons such as damaging brand value or clashing corporate cultures. Meanwhile, airline M&amp;A requires approval from aviation authorities of several countries to prevent negative impacts on consumer welfare. This approval may be conditioned on the revoke of traffic rights or the slot reallocation. This study investigates the operation strategies of airlines -two merging airlines and rival airlines-operated at certain flight-leg based on game theory considering the approval conditions. The results show that airline M&amp;As can lead to more profit by reducing competition. However, there is insufficient evidence that it is more profitable for two airlines to integrate than to cooperate. The key is how much the acquiring airline can absorb the passenger demand of the defunct airline through integration. After the M&amp;A, customers would face higher airfares, but it cannot be concluded that customers are disadvantaged. This is because the increase in the number of flights may lead to a wider range of choices for customers. On the contrary, slot reallocation to prevent monopolies may harm consumer welfare. It is hoped that the managerial insights from this study will be helpful to practitioners concerned with post-M&amp;A airline strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14925,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Air Transport Management","volume":"131 ","pages":"Article 102903"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145106701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Flight wave identification and spatiotemporal connectivity analysis of air route networks in Chinese hub airports","authors":"Jingcong Sun ,&nbsp;Xiang Zhou ,&nbsp;Ruiling Han","doi":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102921","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102921","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Air route network (ARN) connectivity is critical to the market coverage of civil aviation transport networks and the development quality of the civil aviation industry. However, existing studies have predominantly focused on its spatial connectivity characteristics. Based on this, this study first identifies 41 hub airports by analyzing the complexity of China's ARN and then analyzes their flight wave systems and characteristics. Further, using the seven air traffic control regions in China as spatial units, it examines the intra-regional and extra-regional route network connectivity characteristics of hub airports. The results indicate that (1) China's complex ARN is conducive to forming a clear hierarchical connectivity of nodes. (2) The number of hub airports with sawtooth flight waves is the highest. (3) Overall, China's hub airports possess strong potential for transfer connectivity. However, ARN connectivity and feeder capacity among the seven air traffic control regions differ in, for example, the high homogeneity of route connections between hub nodes, which increases competition in regional aviation markets; the feeder capacity and coverage of feeder routes from hub nodes are insufficient; and the rationality of route structure requires further improvement. This study fully explores flight schedule resources in addressing ARN connectivity issues. It identifies structural problems in China's ARN from the perspective of flight waves and, for the first time, uses a longer time series to analyze China's hub airport ARN connectivity. The findings provide theoretical support for optimizing aviation network layout and offer guidance for further enhancing airport transfer and feeder capacities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14925,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Air Transport Management","volume":"131 ","pages":"Article 102921"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416404","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modeling aircraft emissions during the taxiing phase to assess air quality impacts: An Australian airport case study","authors":"Manori Dissanayaka ,&nbsp;Tim Ryley ,&nbsp;Bojana Spasojevic ,&nbsp;Savindi Caldera","doi":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102918","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102918","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As the aviation industry targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) also encourages member states to adopt initiatives to improve air quality by addressing other pollutants. Some airport operators voluntarily evaluate their impact on air quality. Limited literature is available on air quality assessment methods around airports. This paper proposes a refined ICAO air quality model focused on the taxiing phase, customised for both aircraft and airport specifics, providing more accurate emission estimates than the standard model. This enhanced model enables airport operators, airlines, and general aviation operators to create more precise air pollutant emission inventories. Additionally, the results indicate that per-passenger emissions of CO, NOx, HC, and SOx during taxiing are higher in general aviation than for commercial flights at the selected Australian airport case study, with CO emissions around 71 times higher. Consequently, general aviation flights should be included in airport emission inventories due to their significant contribution. In the Australian airport case study, the A330 commercial aircraft and the BE76 general aviation aircraft show the highest CO emissions per passenger during taxiing. Therefore, airlines and general aviation operators should increasingly consider per-passenger emissions during the taxiing phase, along with other factors, in their fleet and operational decisions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14925,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Air Transport Management","volume":"131 ","pages":"Article 102918"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improved discrete Harris Hawks optimization with heuristic approximation and rolling horizon control strategy for aircraft landing problem","authors":"Jinmin Gao ,&nbsp;Meilong Le ,&nbsp;Xiansheng Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102914","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102914","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the increasing air traffic flow and more complicate configuration of air routes in the airport terminal area, studies on the traditional aircraft landing problem (ALP) that only considers runway or landing scheduling are no longer sufficient to meet practical needs. Further consideration such as route selection, en-route separation, conflict avoidance in merging waypoints is needed in consistent to the real air traffic management. Hence, this paper extends the study from the landing scheduling to the whole approaching and landing scheduling within the terminal area. More realistic constraints including route selection from all paths, attitude relevance speed range, en-route and wake separation, maximum position shift, arrival time windows, conflict avoidance in merging waypoints are considered in the optimization model. Then, the solving method is studied. After a comparative study of mainstream algorithms, the improved discrete Harris Hawks optimization (IDHHO) is presented. Many strategies for HHO such as new individual generation, preferred exchange, preferred insertion, random perturbation are added. The prey escape energy update equation is improved. To cope with large-scale situation, heuristic approximation (HA) and the multiple waypoint rolling horizon control strategy (MWRHC) are proposed to accelerate the solving speed of IDHHO. Based on the data of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, computations under low, medium and high traffic density are conducted. The experimental tests verify the validity of the model and algorithm. The computational results show MWRHC-IDHHO-HA can greatly reduce the solving time on the expense of small optimality loss. The presented model and algorithm have been used in the practical ALP management system called Arrival Management (AMAN).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14925,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Air Transport Management","volume":"131 ","pages":"Article 102914"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145320686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Proposing improvement strategies for in-flight service in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era with passengers’ requirements","authors":"Mu-Chen Chen ,&nbsp;Chia-Lin Hsu ,&nbsp;Yu-Han Su","doi":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102913","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102913","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the aviation industry. In the early days of the pandemic, airlines faced unprecedented challenges due to immigration controls and health risks in various countries, and passengers' in-flight service patterns and flight needs have changed. To meet the needs of passengers, airlines need to be more agile in their responses, strengthening health and safety measures, providing flexible policies, driving digital transformation, improving cabin cleanliness, and improving the quality of food and beverage services to earn passengers' trust and satisfaction. On this basis, it is important to continue to pay attention to the changes in passenger demand and adjust service strategies promptly. This study aims to apply Kano model based on AIRQUAL to investigate passengers' satisfaction with in-flight service items by classifying service elements such as attractive quality, one-way quality, must-be quality, indifference quality, and reverse quality. In addition, the respondents were also classified into passenger groups (long-haul routes, long-haul economy class, and short-haul economy class) to find out the service priorities that different customer groups attach importance to, and gave improvement rankings for service items, and put forward effective improvement suggestions to improve the service quality of airlines and increase industrial competitiveness. The findings show that the good service attitude of flight attendants is the first improvement project of the airline. For passengers on long-haul routes, clearly communicating the loss and hazard compensation plan is an essential service for airlines. Use a HEPA system in air-conditioning, the provision of nursing kits for passengers, the change of in-flight to e-books to reduce paper contact, and the provision of masks and gloves for flight attendants are all attractive qualities, which can be inferred that passengers have paid more attention to health after the outbreak of the epidemic.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14925,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Air Transport Management","volume":"131 ","pages":"Article 102913"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring air-rail cooperation in China under asymmetric dependency: An evolutionary game approach","authors":"Wanting Wu ,&nbsp;Xi Chen ,&nbsp;Hongchang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102923","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102923","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Air-rail transport for passenger travel is gaining attention as a sustainable solution to urbanization, climate change, and the growing demand for seamless travel. Despite its potential, air-rail cooperation in China remains underdeveloped, primarily due to asymmetric dependency between airlines and China Railway Group (CR). This study aims to investigate the dynamics of this cooperation, focusing on resource sharing, revenue distribution, and collaborative service models. By applying the theory of asymmetric dependency and constructing an evolutionary game model, this research analyzes the strategic interactions between CR and airlines. Additionally, it explores the role of policy tools, including subsidies, tax incentives, and penalties, in fostering sustainable cooperation. To enhance empirical relevance, the study incorporates a case study of the Shanghai Hongqiao hub to calibrate model parameters and bridge theoretical assumptions with real-world operational data. It is found that (1) Asymmetric dependency significantly influences air-rail cooperation, with CR's dominant position in railway resources restricting deeper collaboration and fairer revenue distribution; (2) Resource sharing and fair revenue distribution are crucial for the success of new air-rail cooperation, while collaborative service, though equally important, depends on the successful implementation of these two factors; (3) Economic incentives, such as additional airline revenue from increased occupancy, play a critical role in motivating participation in air-rail cooperation; (4) Punitive measures and subsidy policies reduce cooperation costs, fostering early-stage cooperation, while tax incentives are crucial for optimizing long-term benefit distribution. This research contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying air-rail cooperation and provides practical policy recommendations for enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of air-rail transport systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14925,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Air Transport Management","volume":"131 ","pages":"Article 102923"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145463151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating FMEA and HFACS to assess the risk to airport operations","authors":"James J.H. Liou ,&nbsp;Chih-Wei Chien ,&nbsp;Fang-Chi Chang ,&nbsp;Yen-Ching Chuang","doi":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102902","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102902","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Airports are complex systems exposed to various operational risks that can disrupt services and compromise safety. Despite extensive research on risk management across industries, there is a lack of comprehensive methodologies tailored to airport operations. We present a comprehensive risk assessment framework that integrates human factor analysis with quantitative evaluation to predict and mitigate failures in critical airport systems. The model integrates the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) with Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to identify risk modes. To address uncertainty in expert assessments, Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Numbers (IVIFN) and Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Weighted Averaging (IIFWA) are employed. The Best-Worst Method (BWM) determines the weights of the risk factors, while the Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) facilitates the comparative evaluation of risk scenarios. A case study on airport power system failures serves to validate the model, effectively identifying and prioritizing critical risks. This integrated model delivers a more accurate and reliable foundation for airport risk assessment, supporting informed decision-making and improved operational safety and efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14925,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Air Transport Management","volume":"131 ","pages":"Article 102902"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145047093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}