tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232587951592761390.post3976021600978831169..comments2023-10-24T06:09:31.378-05:00Comments on EconWeekly: Hubs, spokes and flight delaysUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232587951592761390.post-6341973432078238642007-11-30T11:14:00.000-06:002007-11-30T11:14:00.000-06:00Very interesting post, and the results are somewha...Very interesting post, and the results are somewhat counter to my expectations.<BR/><BR/>A couple of things I wonder about:<BR/><BR/>1) Confounding variables-- are airline hubs disproportionately located in, say, areas affected by weather or simply busier airports that would have more delays anyway? (OTOH, how much of the extra busyness is from being a hub?)<BR/><BR/>2) Nearby airports-- are some dominant hubs located very near alternate airports whose congestion could spillover and interfere in the airspace of the first airport, so externalities still exist?<BR/><BR/>However, I agree that very busy, cold weather affected, near busy airspace but not dominated Logan and weather unaffected, not near large other airports, one carrier dominated DFW seem to suggest that these confounding factors are not large.<BR/><BR/>Basically, the problem is indeed too many small commuter jets, so that airlines provide many flights per day to medium and small sized location from hubs. However, that also provides a large benefit in the form of shorter layovers for travelers from those areas. The airlines do have a point that concentrating only on delays would impose a social cost on travelers by increasing layover time. Traveling across the continent from one medium or small city to another might be scheduled for two days or more instead of fit into one.John Thackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15269867695937765049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232587951592761390.post-79914376242637197812007-09-17T18:50:00.001-05:002007-09-17T18:50:00.001-05:00In response to anonymous, on Sept 17, I have three...In response to anonymous, on Sept 17, I have three things to say:<BR/><BR/>1) Companies know that they would lose business if they included expected layovers in the scheduled travel time. Travelers want lots of connections and short layovers. (I know it's sort of irrational that travelers continue believing the airlines, but I think that that's how it is for the moment.) Creating some delays is still optimal for them (in the sense of maximizing their profits).<BR/><BR/>2) Hub airlines are affected by congestion too. They ignore the schedules of other companies. Congestion causes a bigger problem from them because they try to squeeze so many flights in a short time frame. So, in a sense, the "hub-and-spoke" model worsens the consequences of congestion.<BR/><BR/>3) I doubt that the actual layovers, after including delays, would be shorter if they ran a "point-to-point" network instead of a "hub-and-spoke network". If you want to minimize expected layover, the "hub-and-spoke" model is superior, for the moment. If air traffic increases, especially from an increase in the number of companies, delays will get worse, and a "point-to-point" network might become speedier than a "hub-and-spoke" one.<BR/><BR/>I hope this answers your questions.Franciscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07037104984110610259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232587951592761390.post-38522786785590504062007-09-17T18:50:00.000-05:002007-09-17T18:50:00.000-05:00The posting on flight delays is interesting. One t...The posting on flight delays is interesting. One thing I did not understand though. The carriers want to minimize lay over and if there are long delays at the hubs, then the carriers are essentially failing to do so, right? Then why aren't they internalizing that? Anyway, it was an interesting read.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232587951592761390.post-58363861784027608022007-09-08T23:59:00.000-05:002007-09-08T23:59:00.000-05:00Great article. I was really hoping for your usual ...Great article. I was really hoping for your usual hopeful suggestions that make a different reality possible. Please tell me there is a possible world in which we can have fewer flight delays without having to pay for it!! This is what we come to you for - Helpful/Hopeful suggestions! I was pretty disappointed with the grim: suck it up and bring a book. But this article is well-reasoned and well-written as always. Could you label Logan and DFW on the scatter plot? And to answer your questions. 1. I use all carriers and select based on FFM programs 2. I will always minimize flight time; expected flight time due to variance is an afterthought. 3. do I have a choice? I'm already on the plane with my seatbelt fastened... 4. Doesn't matter the purpose of travel - it's always a nuisance to take longer to get there. ufAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com