Title: Airport check-in counter assignment: a proposed solution

Authors: Tay-Lin Hwang; Chi-Ruey Jeng; Sin-Siang Wang

Addresses: Department of Aviation and Maritime Transportation Management, Chang Jung Christian University, No. 396, Chang Jung Rd., Sec. 1, Kway Jen, Tainan 71101, Taiwan. ' Department of Leisure, Recreation and Tourism Management, Shu-Te University, No. 59, Hengshan Rd., Yanchao, Kaohsiung City 82445, Taiwan. ' Department of Civil Engineering, National Central University, Jhongli City, Taoyuan County 32001, Taiwan

Abstract: The recent global economic recession and adverse environmental impact have seriously shocked the airline industry. An important task for many airlines is to increase competitiveness. An extremely time-consuming check-in process, especially during peak hours, can significantly degrade passenger perceptions of service quality. Thus, improving the efficiency of check-in counters at airport passenger terminals is a major concern of airport operators and airlines. For example, improving the efficiency of counter assignments by airline reservation systems would reduce manpower needs and enhance operational efficiency. The objective of this study was to establish the operating pattern for airport check-in counter assignments by minimising the operational cost from incurred by the airline and maximising passenger service level with considering the use of kiosk machine and full/part-time duty counter staff. According to the experimental results and sensitivity analyses of actual airline operations data, employing part-time counter staff and using kiosk machines would significantly reduce counter operation cost and improve passenger service quality.

Keywords: check-in counters; kiosk machines; service levels; airport check-in; counter assignment; airline industry; passenger perceptions; service quality; check-in efficiency; airline reservation systems; counter staff; manpower needs; operational efficiency.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAM.2012.050473

International Journal of Aviation Management, 2012 Vol.1 No.4, pp.257 - 270

Published online: 23 Aug 2014 *

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