Title: The relationship between fleet structures and business models of combined airline cargo companies: a comparison with apriori algorithm

Authors: İhsan Emrecan Şahin; Savaş Selahattin Ateş

Addresses: Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Tarsus University, Takbaş Mah. Kartaltepe, 33402, Tarsus, Mersin, Turkey ' Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Eskisehir Technical University, Eskisehir, Turkey

Abstract: The aim of this study is to uncover the association between the aircraft in the fleets of airlines involved in combined freight transportation and to assess the utilisation patterns of similar aircraft categories by airlines. In their aircraft selection process, airlines consider a variety of factors, including range, fuel efficiency, and capacity. Examining the structure of other airlines' fleets during the aircraft procurement process can give airlines a competitive edge. Airlines can employ the apriori algorithm, a data mining technique, to uncover hidden association rules among aircraft within their fleets. This study begins by showcasing the implementation of the apriori algorithm. It then delves into the operations of six airlines, each of which had an associated aircraft. Next, the cargo handling equipment used by each aircraft across these six carriers is compared. We anticipate that the results may shed light on airline executives and organisations within the aircraft supply chain.

Keywords: combined airlines; apriori algorithm; airline management; fleet structures.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2025.147887

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2025 Vol.21 No.1, pp.128 - 151

Received: 02 Mar 2024
Accepted: 22 Jul 2024
Published online: 07 Aug 2025 *

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