ABSTRACT
As indicated in chapter 9, fuel cost is a major component of operating cost within the airlines. The increasing cost of crude oil and subsequently jet fuel continues to motivate airlines to seek more efficient ways of operations. One of these strategies relates to adopting and utilizing tow-tugs for aircraft ground-movements. This chapter presents an economic and operational feasibility study of using tow-tugs to move aircrafts at airports. Specifically, this simulation study pertains to using aircraft tow-tugs at AirTran Airways at their hub in Atlanta-Hartsfield Jackson International Airport (ATL). These vehicles were intended to tow aircraft to and from the airport terminals (concourses C and D) to the airline’s maintenance hangar, located about 3 miles from the terminals.
