WEAKEST FLEET LINE MODEL

Shows the practical relationship between fixed costs and flights, while assuming a fixed schedule.

WFL sorts the flights by integral network value, allocating them to the fleet lines and sorted by joint value within the context of the planning. So the top line will contain the set of flights that form an operable fleet line, with the highest joint value.

Similarly, the bottom line will contain the set of flights that have the lowest joint value. If you were forced to reduce the number of aircraft, this is the set of flights that needs to be cancelled in order to create the largest benefit.

 

WFL provides a wealth of information for network optimization:

• Which flights to optimize? It is perfectly conceivable that the strongest flight in the network will be on the weakest line. Or the weakest flight of the network on the strongest line. That is because WFL by-passes flight sub-optimization. It doesn't help to optimize one successful route, without looking at the price of lost opportunities. WFL discloses these side-effects.

• Alternative planning possibilities: WFL is also used as selector for the best set of flights. All options can be entered and WFL picks the best total production package. This is also interesting for charter companies, during negotiations on high season series. WFL will sharply trade-off series lengths, yields, and departure times.

• Optimal Fleet size: With this model it is easy to define the optimal number of aircraft units of each type. It will clearly identify the margin of the weakest fleet lines, showing exactly which aircraft are still profitable and which are not. 

• Fixed cost trade-off: The complexities of network profitability hinder a clear sight on fixed costs. The allocation based on blockhours or on elapsed time is highly artificial. Judging flights on contribution is not satisfactory either. WFL provides crystal clear answers to these questions.
  

This model is the ideal inroad to optimization of the production planning.