Investigation of the Fuel Efficiency of the U.S. Air Transportation Network Structure

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Azzam ◽  
Philippe Bonnefoy ◽  
R. John Hansman
Keyword(s):  
Network Structure ◽  
Transportation Network ◽  
Fuel Efficiency ◽  
Air Transportation ◽  
The U.S

scholarly journals Quantifying the Resilience of the U.S. Domestic Aviation Network During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Bauranov ◽  
Steven Parks ◽  
Xuan Jiang ◽  
Jasenka Rakas ◽  
Marta C. González
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Transportation Network ◽  
Air Transportation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Network Robustness ◽  
Network Efficiency ◽  
Epidemiological Factors ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Aviation Network ◽  
The U.S

This paper analyzes the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the United States air transportation network between March and August 2020. Despite dramatic reductions in flight and passenger volumes, the network remained robust and resilient against perturbation. Although 24% of airports closed, the reduction in network efficiency was only 5.1%, which means airlines continued to serve most destinations. A deeper analysis of airport closures reveals that 1) small peripheral airports were the most likely to be closed; 2) socio-economic and epidemiological factors characterizing the airport’s region such as income, income inequality, political leaning, and the number of observed COVID cases were not predictive of airport closure. Finally, we show that high network robustness has a downside: although emissions from United States air traffic in 2020 fell by 37.4% compared to 2019, mostly due to the drop in the number of flights, emissions per passenger doubled in the period April to August 2020 and increased eightfold in the week of April 5–11. This rise indicates inefficient use of resources by airlines.

scholarly journals Transitioning the U.S. Air Transportation System to Higher Fuel Costs

2012 ◽  
Vol 2266 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-48
Author(s):  
James K. D. Morrison ◽  
Brian Yutko ◽  
R. John Hansman
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Efficiency ◽  
Air Transportation ◽  
Transportation System ◽  
Policy Options ◽  
Small Community ◽  
Fuel Price ◽  
Fuel Prices ◽  
Fuel Costs ◽  
The U.S

The air transportation system enables economic growth and provides significant social benefits. Future increases and volatility in oil prices, as well as climate change policies, are likely to increase the effective cost of fuel. This paper investigates the expected impacts of higher fuel costs on the U.S. domestic air transportation system and discusses policy options to reduce negative economic and social effects. The 2004 to 2008 fuel price surge is used as a historic case study. A stochastic simulation model is developed with the use of price elasticity-of-demand assumptions and flight leg fuel burn estimates to understand the impacts of higher fuel costs. It was found that a 50% increase in fuel prices was expected to result in a 12% reduction in available seat miles if all cost increases passed through to passengers. System revenues are expected to decrease marginally for fuel price increases up to 50%, but higher increases may result in significant revenue reductions. Small airports are expected to experience relatively larger decreases and greater volatility in traffic. Older aircraft, flying sectors significantly below their optimal fuel efficiency range, are expected to experience the greatest reductions in capacity. An airline case study demonstrates that a regional carrier may be less sensitive to increased fuel prices than other business models. Policy options to maintain small community access, to manage airport traffic volatility, and to improve fleet fuel efficiency are discussed. To transition the U.S. air transportation system to higher fuel costs, stakeholder action will be required.

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