Conclusions

Abstract

In this study, the computer-supported production planning and scheduling process in airlines was analyzed. After giving an overview about the process and existing systems, new methods to solve the rotation generation problem were presented. A central contribution is the concept of a scheduling workbench to assist in solving semistructured, process-oriented scheduling problems. A human expert scheduler can at any time switch between global algorithmic planning, interactive incremental planning, and schedule simulation. Powerful tools, like modeling and solving techniques of mathematical programming, are provided. An integrated knowledge base is used to check consistency after incremental scheduling operations. Proposals may be generated to assist the human user in achieving given goals. The natural disruptions at the execution time of a schedule may be represented within a simulation model.