a simulation approach to airline maintenance manpower planning
This study presents a simulation model for the aircraft maintenance operation at AirTran's maintenance station in Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. The model involves various characteristics and behaviors of aircraft maintenance system, including gate assignment and its effects on the required number of mechanics, unscheduled aircraft maintenance, scheduled Remain Over-night (RON) maintenance, and the constraints affecting resource availability, ground time, and spare parts. Optimization modules of the simulation software generate an optimum shift schedule of mechanics increasing the existing system's efficiency, and the optimum number of new mechanics to match the increased workload in the future. The model can be used as a tool for understanding resource requirements on a daily basis and for developing efficient manpower staffing models, which can guarantee that a sufficient number of mechanics with approximate qualifications are always available. Its purpose is, therefore, to secure a complete match between workload and the available workforce.
airlines maintenance manpower transportation