There is one potential development that may greatly affect how aircraft are loaded especially where flight production
Question:
There is one potential development that may greatly affect how aircraft are loaded especially where flight production units are outside the perimeter of the airport. Air
at London Heathrow have developed an approach to loading based on having alow cost ‘assembly facility’ off-airport and a logistics holding facility, for completed flights air side’ on the apron. The advantages of this style of operation are that flight uplifts can be transferred in larger numbers from the main unit to the forward holding facility.
The completed uplifts are customized at the forwarding unit to ensure that they accurately reflect the number of passengers traveling and the individual requirements of the uplift. The tangible benefits from this style of operation are as follows:
• Lower unit operating costs at the assembly facility
• Greater efficiency in transportation between the assembly unit and the airside logistics facility, particularly the avoidance of traffic congestion, which is an increasing problem
around airport approach roads
• Reduction of wastage levels for the airline, as flights are managed and coordinated much closer to departure time and can be matched to the fluctuating passenger
requirements of short-haul airlines
• Increased accuracy of uplift
• Improved punctuality performance, due to the greater flexibility and proximity to the
aircraft stands for delivering the final uplift
• Integrity of the Chill Chain for food products, right through to final departure
The approach is unique in its simplicity and looks set to lead the way in which short-haul airlines are handled in the future, in an environment of the ever-increasing cost
pressures and the requirement of flexibility.
Questions:
1. Analyze the case and interpret it.
2. What do you infer from the given case study?
Expert Answer:
