SYNOPSE: a model-based decision support system for the evaluation of flight schedules for cargo airlines

• Published in: Decision Support Systems Vol. 22; no. 4; pp. 307 - 323
• Main Authors: Antes, J., Campen, L., Derigs, U., Titze, C., Wolle, G.-D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-04-1998; Elsevier Science; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Air transportation and traffic; Airline management; Airlines; Applied sciences; Decision support systems; Evaluative models; Exact sciences and technology; Ground, air and sea transportation, marine construction; Implementation; Model-based decision-support system (DSS); Studies; Germany; Model-based decision-support system (DSS); Airline management; Evaluative models; Implementation; System architecture; Evaluation; Decision support system; Scheduling; Management; System description; Example; Problem solving; Strategy; Air transportation; Models; Planning
• ISSN: 0167-9236; 1873-5797
• DOI: 10.1016/S0167-9236(98)00027-X

The ability to evaluate flight schedules, with respect to cost, revenue and contribution to profit, is essential for cargo airlines to respond properly to changing environments in this highly competitive and consumer-oriented market. In this paper, we introduce SYNOPSE, our model-based decision support system for the evaluation of flight schedules for cargo airlines, by describing the underlying planning situation, the data model and the decision models used, and the implementation, i.e., the development process, as well as the architecture. A small example illustrates the high complexity of the analysis process and the supporting qualities of our decision-support system (DSS).