Dataset defining representative route network for GLOWOPT market segments

For calculating the GLOWOPT representative route network, a forecast model chain was used. The model was calibrated with 2019 flight movement data (unimpeded by COVID-19) and provided forecasted aircraft movements from the year 2019 (~2020) to 2050 in 5 years intervals.

Two formats of datasets are generated with the results of the forecast model chain, a csv file format and 4-dimensional array supported with MATLAB (.mat).

CSV Datasets

For each forecasted year a csv file is generated with the information on the origin-destination (OD) airports IATA codes, region, latitude and longitude of OD pair, representative aircraft type along with the aircraft category , the average load factor and finally, the distance between the OD pair. The airports worldwide are sub-dived into nine regions namely Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Middle East, North America, Oceania and South America. There are total of seven datasets, one for each forecasted year i.e. for years 2019 (~2020), 2025, 2030, 2035, 2040, 2045 and 2050.

Description of the data labels:

Origin- Origin airport IATA code

Origin_Region- Region of the Origin Airport

Origin_Latitude- Latitude of the Origin Airport

Origin_Longitude- Longitude of the Origin Airport

Destination- Destination airport IATA code

Destination_Region- Region of the Destination Airport

Destination_Latitude- Latitude of the Destination Airport

Destination_Longitude- Longitude of the Destination Airport

AcType- Representative aircraft type

Load_Factor- Average load factor per flight

Yearly_Frequency- Total aircraft movements per annum

RefACType- Aircraft Category based on number of seats (Category 6 represents aircraft with seats 252-301 and category 7 represents aircraft with seats greater than 302.)

Distance- Great circle distance between Origin and Destination in Km.

MATLAB Datasets

The dataset generated with MATLAB is a 4-dimensional array with the extension *.mat. The first dimension is the region of the origin airport and subsequently the second dimensions contains the region of the destination airport. The third and fourth dimension are the aircraft category based on seat numbers and the categorized great circle distances. The information received therein is a 1X1 cell with the IATA codes of the OD pairs, frequency and great circle distance in Km.

The 4D array is categorised such that the user can select the route segment specific to a region or a combination of regions. The range categorisation in combination with an aircraft category additionally offers the user the possibility to select routes depending on their great circle distances. The ranges are categorised to represent very short range (0-2000 km), short range (2000-6000 km), medium range (6000-10000 km) and long range (10000 – 15000 km).

Indexing based on the categorisation of the 4D array dataset - Refer to file 'Indexing_MAT_Dataset.PNG'

For example:

To derive the OD pairs and yearly frequency of aircraft movements for routes which originate from Europe and are destined to Asia, operated with category 6 aircraft type and are separated by distances between 10,000 to 15,000 km:

In MATLAB (Indexing based on file 'Indexing_MAT_Dataset.PNG' ):

Route_Network (5,2,1,4),

Description on Index:

5 – Europe: Origin Region 

2 – Asia: Destination Region

1– Category 6: Aircraft Type

4 – 10000-15000 km: Range