Title: Interval DEA-based dynamic productivity assessment of air routes: a Chengdu case study

Authors: Xintian He; Tianxiong Zhang

Addresses: School of Air Traffic Management, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Chengdu, 641450, China ' Chair of Software Technology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, 01187, Germany

Abstract: This study introduces a novel Malmquist index measurement method based on interval DEA to improve the accuracy of dynamic efficiency evaluations in the aviation industry. Traditional DEA-based Malmquist models often fail to address data uncertainty, leading to limited insights under fluctuating conditions. By incorporating interval data, the proposed method better captures variability and uncertainty in input-output values, resulting in more robust and realistic efficiency assessments. An empirical analysis of airline routes in Chengdu, China (2016-2020), validates the method's effectiveness, showing its ability to reveal changes in decision-making unit (DMU) efficiency and key influencing factors over time. The findings demonstrate that this approach can support airlines and policymakers in optimising route planning and operational management, particularly in the face of market uncertainties and competitive pressures.

Keywords: data uncertainty; interval DEA; interval Malmquist index; improved direction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAOM.2026.154444

International Journal of Advanced Operations Management, 2026 Vol.17 No.2, pp.186 - 216

Received: 22 Jun 2025
Accepted: 20 Nov 2025
Published online: 29 Jun 2026 *

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