Ground Delay Program Decision-making using Multiple Criteria: A Single Airport Case

In this paper, we develop Ground Delay Program (GDP) models using continuum approximation. Both early GDP cancellations and GDP extensions are considered in the models. We then identify and define four performance criteria for GDP: capacity utilization, predictability, efficiency and equity. Using the proposed GDP models, we represent the trade-offs between the performance goals and relate these to the GDP decisions on planned clearance time, scope and early cancellation policy. Each flight operator may prefer a different point on the performance trade-off curves and correspondingly opt for different GDP plans. The decision-making process is formed as a utility optimization problem in our work. Specifically, we employ a linear utility function to illustrate how the trade-off curves could be used by flight operators to select their preferred GDP decisions. The research would lead to improved GDP decisionmaking, in which traffic managers and flight operators can make informed trade-offs based on their assessment of the importance of different performance criteria.