Evaluation of the performance of the multi-objective scalarization methods for the aircraft sequencing and scheduling problem using multi-criteria decision-making

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the performance of the most popular multi-objective programming scalarization methods in the literature for the aircraft sequencing and scheduling problem (ASSP). These methods are the weighted sum method, weighted goal programming, the epsilon-constraint method, the elastic constraint method, weighted Tchebycheff and augmented weighted Tchebycheff. Design/methodology/approach First, the ASSP for a single runway case was modeled using mixed-integer programming considering the safety and operational constraints and the objectives of the minimization of total delay and total flight time for a sample airport. The objectives were then combined by using the multi-objective programming scalarization methods and various expected times of arrival-departure samples were run for the mathematical models. Finally, the methods were evaluated in terms of the number of nondominated solutions, superior nondominated solution and the average solution time using the Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking according to Compromise Solution method, which is a popular multi-criteria decision-making method. Findings Augmented Weighted Tchebycheff was found to be the most effective approach to ASSP in terms of the evaluation criteria followed by Weighted Tchebycheff and then weighted sum method. Practical implications The methodology presented in this study could provide more efficient air traffic management in terminal maneuvering areas when multiple objectives need to be optimized. Originality/value Although there are studies including the comparison of several scalarization methods for other problems, the comparison of the methods for ASSP has not yet been handled in the literature. As there are several stakeholders in the air traffic system, ASSP includes several objectives, and as a result, this problem can benefit from analyses using this comparison.