Title: A fuzzy analytic hierarchy process-based framework for air cargo infrastructure location

Authors: Ravi Lakshmanan; Tarun Dhingra; T. Bangar Raju

Addresses: GMR Airports (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., 135, Cecil Street, Philippines Airlines Building, #14-01, 069536, Singapore ' Strategic Management, Jaipuria Institute of Management, A-32A, Sector 62, Noida, Pin 201309, India ' School of Business, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kandoli, Dehradun, Pin 248007, India

Abstract: Efficient air cargo infrastructure is crucial for the safe and effective transport of high-value goods, facilitating globalisation and trade. A strategic decision of air cargo infrastructure location can boost airport competitiveness and fit into a multi-modal logistics network. This study presents a decision framework consisting of four primary factors (master planning, environmental impact, techno-economic considerations, and operational aspects), and 30 subfactors. The application of fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) helps prioritise these factors and subfactors. Stage 1 consists of finding probable locations followed by its full evaluation in stage 2. In stage 1, 'techno-economic factors', is the topmost priority followed by operational, master planning and environmental factors. In stage 2, the top five subfactors are: 1) compliance with all regulatory/statutory requirements; 2) cargo traffic increase; 3) financial assessment; 4) environmental regulations; 5) business model (airport ownership included) and funding. Practitioners can employ this methodology in a two-stage decision framework.

Keywords: air cargo infrastructure; location decision; MCDM; fuzzy analytical hierarchy process; FAHP; airport.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSA.2024.136524

International Journal of Sustainable Aviation, 2024 Vol.10 No.1, pp.76 - 98

Received: 23 Feb 2023
Accepted: 17 Jul 2023
Published online: 05 Feb 2024 *

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