Simulation-Based Optimization of Passenger Flow and Resources in Airport Operations

This study examines capacity inadequacies at airports, a critical component of airline transportation, and their impact on passengers. Despite the advantages of air travel, such as time savings and convenience, increasing demand often leads to long queues and delays at airports. Congestion, particularly at key points such as security checks, check-in counters, baggage drop-off, and immigration controls, significantly impacts passenger satisfaction. The study focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs by minimizing waiting times and optimizing resource utilization in airport processing units. To evaluate these issues, a discrete-event simulation model was developed using domestic and international passenger flow data from İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport. The analysis is guided by the hypothesis that improvements in staff allocation and process configurations can reduce waiting times without substantially increasing operational costs. Simulation analyses, supported by insights from the literature, explore various scenarios for optimizing staff shifts and implementing modern solutions, such as online check-in. The findings reveal that reducing staff in specific processing units can lower costs but may increase waiting times, highlighting the trade-off between efficiency and service quality. This study provides valuable insights for airport managers to make strategic decisions and serves as a crucial reference for future operational planning.