Cost-range trade-off of intermediate stop operations of long-range transport airplanes

Abstract

The objective of this study is to show the environmental and operating cost savings that could be achieved if long-range transport aircraft were designed for shorter ranges, and long-range flights were operated with an intermediate stop, obviously, with the drawback of longer trip duration and the increase in the number of flight cycles. The maximum take-off weight and operating empty weight, the main design variables of transport airplanes, noticeably diminish. The overall result depends on the length of the route, the extra distance due to the detour, the location of the intermediate airport and the technology level (range factor and operating empty weight fraction with respect to the maximum take-off weight). In all the routes analysed, the uneven splitting between both legs plays a secondary role. It is shown that long routes are well adapted to intermediate stop operations, particularly when the airliner serving the route has been designed for a medium range. However, intermediate stop operations produce a negative impact for medium and short city pair distances, since the reduction in aircraft weight is more than counterbalanced by the extra fuel and time required in the non-cruise phases of the flights.