Aviation in today’s world

Delays in take-off or landing due to congestion at an airport or delays in deplaning after landing
is something we are all familiar with. Such factors contribute to the turnaround time of the
aircraft, which has a direct bearing on utilization and profitability. However, in a congested
airport, there are a variety of factors and cross-functional operations which need to be managed
in order to reduce turnaround time. Efficient ground operations are thus essential to reduce
turnaround time and maximize utilization.

The aviation sector has historically focussed on issues like technology, speed and safety.
However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in understanding how the field of
lean management can be applied to the aviation industry to reduce waste and improve
turnaround time and efficiency. Even small improvements in turnaround time can have a
substantial impact on the airline’s on-time-performance (OTP) and to fleet utilization. The
objective is to maximise profits from time in the air and minimize costs and on-ground time.
In order to do this, it is first essential to understand the existing processes and then identify
opportunities for improvements. In this paper, we will look at the current status of aircraft
ground operations around the globe and understand best practices. Then we will look at how
lean management principles can help improve turnaround time and overall efficiency of the
aviation industry.