Applications of Queueing Models to Improve Airport Operations

Abstract

Balancing the waiting times of passengers and the allocation of personnel and facilities among different operations in an airport is a challenging problem. Queueing models have been widely regarded as useful tools for evaluating the performance of a service system because of their ability to provide quick and reasonably accurate values for performance measures related to waiting times and queue lengths. Hence, the queueing approach is an important tool to analyze and improve airport operations. This paper reviews and categorizes the literature on the application of queueing theory to model the check-in, security screening, and baggage claim processes at passenger terminals and the runway service, taxi-out, and landing processes at aircraft terminals. In doing so, the paper also identifies potential future research opportunities, some of which are motivated by new airport technologies and processes.