Managing Winter Operations An Airline Perspective May 18 TH 2017 Eric M. Silverman Manager ATC/Airfield Operations: NE Region:
Airline Overview/Make-Up: American offers an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries. American has hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. 2
Snapshot of American 3
Snapshot of American 4
Airline Overview/Make-Up: American is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members and members-elect serve nearly 1,000 destinations with 14,250 daily flights to 150 countries. 5
Years Fleet Replacement Plan Average Fleet Age 18 16.8 yrs 16.7 yrs 14.0 yrs 14.7 yrs 13 13.3 yrs 12.1 yrs 10.4 yrs 9.6 yrs 8 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016E 2017E Source: SEC Form 10-K and Ascend Fleets data base; projected data based on internal Industry fleet plan outlook estimates 6
New Integrated Operations Center - DFW 7
Intergrated Operations Center - DFW 8
IOC Command Center Manage Events Teleconference System Satellite TV Secure Communications
What is the IOC? 10
1 Why an IOC (continued) Federal Aviation regulations require Operational Control IOC fulfills that role Airlines conduct operational control by making decisions and performing actions that are necessary to operate flights safely and in compliance with regulations Provides a centralized point of contact for all safety of flight and customer relations concerns
The Challenges Of Managing A Winter Operations Event- Many Variables In Play!!!! 12
Airline Winter Operations Playbook-Managing The Event-IOC Pre-Planning Pre-planning begins approx 36-48 hr ahead of expected event. Wx/model trends are monitored (In House wx provider & NWS). When increased confidence is reached of a winter wx event, IOC begins discussions (Conf Call) with individual stations (12-24 Hrs Out). Coordination with Local Airport Authority and FAA (Within 12-24 Hrs). Factors looked at; Precip type, intensity, accumulation, winds/visibility. How is airport throughput impacted through the deice pad? How many can be deiced in a given 30-60 min hour window? Projected impacts to runways/taxiways (Arrival/Departure Rate). Roadway system in/out of airport along with Mass Transit are factored in. All these variables and more help determine future schedule. 13
Airline Winter Operations Playbook- Managing The Event-IOC Game Day-During The Event. All eyes/ears monitoring the storm (From The IOC To The Stations Impacted). Constant communication with the individual stations regarding conditions and if plan is being executed currently? IOC ATC coordinators and managers in communication with local FAA facilities and FAA Command Center on setting arrival/departure rates and overall strategy. Is the plan working and if not, what needs to change? Deice Throughput and runway availability are the (2) main drivers that are watched closely during an event. LOB (Long-Onboard Delays Big Concern). Constance surveillance of the airport surface (On/Off Of The Deice Pad). Where aircraft are and how long have they been off the gate? Do we as airline need to make proactive changes to plan, cancel or reduce the operation more than anticipated? 14
Airline Winter Operations-Trends Last 10-15 Years. Game Changers. DOT Passenger Bill Of Rights- 2010 (DOT 3 And 4 Hour Tarmac Rules). Need to provide opportunity for passengers deplane along with food lavatory services. 2014 Part 117: Changes to flight duty period. Crew rest periods reclassified. Airlines forced to be proactive on managing the operation and a times pre-cancel flights. Airlines more inclined to pull RON/terminating aircraft out of a station for bigger storms. Makes it much easier to restart operation after storm is over (Clean Aircraft For Restart). Adoption of Centralized Deicing Facilities at some large airports can add complexities to decision-making Small events more complex to manage as most airlines canceling a small percentage of flights. 15
Airline Winter Operations Playbook- Managing The Event-IOC: Recovery: To implement the recovery plan several factors are looked at. Runways/taxiways/apron condition/availability. How is snow removal going? How many aircraft on the ground need to be deiced and type of contamination on airframes. Helps determine how quickly to increase operations. Crew scheduling. Do we have crews in position to resume operations? Roadway in/out of airport and mass transit status. Overall airport acceptance rate (Arrival/Departure Rate). Easier to make adjustments with a slower startup vs. flooding the airport with traffic that it can t handle. 16
In-House Customized Forecast: 17
In-House Customized Forecast: 18
FAA Advanced Plan-PERTI: 19
Questions? 20