Optimization of a Mission-Based Flight Priority System

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop a mission-based flight priority system that decides which aircraft would match with which airborne operation, and determines a sequence of take-off for those airplane-operation peers. Both peers and take-off orders are specified by minimizing total operation cost which includes fuel cost, waiting cost and penalty cost for missed missions. The aim of this system is to create a cost effective, fast and efficient decision-making tool for allocating operation-aircraft assignments and determining the sequence of take-off, especially in emergency cases. Methodology: An integer programming model that minimizes the total cost are formulated. Four scenarios are designed to assess the performance of the system. The system, which includes five aircrafts and ten airborne operations, was revealed in the study. Integer programming is used while modeling the system and the Branch-and-Bound algorithm is used as the solution algorithm. The optimization algorithm was developed in MATLAB. Findings: Both emergency scenarios and normal scenarios are maintained with the purpose of examining the behaviors and the result of the system under different conditions. It is believed that system have given the appropriate sequence and matchup for air vehicle-operation peers. Originality: Since the integration of airplane-mission assignment and determining take-off sequence is rare in the literature, our study may be considered as a new approach. Therefore, in order to bring a new perspective, an optimization system related to the determination of flight priority and mission assignment was brought in this study.