Figure 1 is the primary interface for executing a network scenario, which can be accessed through the Planning > Scenario Analyses menu. This interface is divided into two sections: the upper section is dedicated to launching a new scenario, while the lower section is designed for comparing two scenarios. All output report in the “Model Output Menu” section will only be refreshed after executing a new scenario and initiating a comparison, such as an O&D comparison or segment comparison. You can navigate to these menu items to access results generated from previous executions as needed.

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Parameter Setting

Prior to initiating a scenario, you have the flexibility to fine-tune various parameters, which are conveniently accessible within the QSI Settings panel, as shown in Figure 2. The following is a breakdown of the different parameter tabs available for customization:

  1. QSI Factors: Configure QSI coefficients that correspond to different service types, in Discrete or Continuous mode.
  2. Dwell Time Penalty: Adjust connection windows and penalties for extended dwell times between flights.
  3. Circuity Factor: Define factors associated with various circuity curves.
  4. Time of Day: Specify time of day preferences for both leisure and business travelers.
  5. Day of Week: Customize day of the week preferences for leisure and business travelers.
  6. Airline Adjustment: Make traffic and fare adjustments at various scopes with a hierarchy, from specific market to systemwide, addressing Share Gaps.
  7. Partner Factors: Define local and connection traffic factors for different types of partnerships, ranging from codeshare agreements to joint ventures and mergers.
  8. Alliance & City Presence Factors: Define alliance membership and its impact on traffic and revenue.
  9. Fare Formula: Configure fare formulas and define demand elasticity.
  10. Unit Cost: Set airline unit costs based on different cost drivers and fleet types.
  11. Advanced Settings: Fine-tune additional parameters such as market stimulation, constrained versus unconstrained demand, prorating methods, and conduct model calibration.
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Running a scenario will save the parameter values you’ve adjusted. However, if you prefer not to run a scenario but wish to retain the changes you’ve made, you can simply click the Save button. Conversely, if you wish to revert to the default parameter values, clicking the Reset button will do so. Importantly, it’s worth noting that resetting the parameters will not erase the adjustment factors, such as those related to Airline Adjustments and Partner Factors, which are defined in individual tables.

Scenario Execution

In the “Model Execution Section”, you’ll find a range of input controls, checkboxes and buttons that are integral to running and managing scenarios. The Saved Scenario control serves multiple purposes:

  1. Loading Existing Scenarios: You can load existing scenarios from the list, which includes scenarios created by both you and others within the same group. Scenarios created by other users are denoted by a name starting with that user’s name followed by a colon. To access the list, click the down arrow button. Alternatively, you can filter the list by typing part of the scenario name.
  2. Saving Scenarios: You can input a name in the text box and then click the Save icon key to save the current model result. The name of the loaded or saved scenario will be displayed behind the Current Scenario label.

Loaded scenarios are intended for result review and comparison. If you wish to create a new scenario based on a loaded one, please be aware that you must rebuild connections by unchecking the Re-use Current Connections checkbox.

Fligence Alliance runs scenarios on a monthly basis. You can select the desired month using the Travel Month control. All input data, such as schedules and market size, will be based on the selected month, and the report results will also reflect monthly data. However, if you need to analyze a period over a longer or shorter timeframe, you can align the total passenger volume in the Market Size table with the corresponding period. In such cases, although the model appears to run against one month, the report output will contain total data for the requested period.

Running a network planning scenario can take more than 10 minutes due to the need to build global connections with updated schedules. To expedite the process, there are several checkboxes:

  • Include Single Connections or Include Double Connections: Check or uncheck those boxes to include or exclude single and double connections. Generally, it’s recommended to include only single connections for initial scenario runs and then add double connections for the final run.
  • Re-use Current Connection: If you made changes only to airline alliances or factors affecting the QSI score, you can check this box to skip the time-consuming connection-building process.
  • Skip Segment Output: Check this box if you don’t require segment-specific results.

The “Model Execution Section” also includes two action buttons. Depending on contract terms, the Extract Schedule button may be enabled. If so, you can extract the flight schedules of the host airline, encompassing both organic flights and flights codeshared with other airlines, for a typical week in the specified travel month. After extraction, you can modify schedules or codeshares and then initiate different scenarios by clicking the Run Scenario button.

During scenario execution, a status panel will appear. You have the option to cancel the process by clicking the Cancel button. You can also close the panel by clicking the Close icon key, though the process will continue running in the background. To check the status again, you can click the Check Status button. Upon completion of the scenario execution, a “Mission completed” message will appear in the status panel. At this point, you can access the output reports via the “Model Output Menu” or select a previous scenario for comparison.

Scenario Comparison

When assessing the effects of strategic or operational decisions, such as establishing a new airline relationship or modifying flight schedules, it’s crucial to compare the outcomes between the “before” and “after” scenarios. The dedicated “Scenario Comparison Section” empowers you to select a previous scenario and perform the following insightful comparisons:

  • Model Parameters: Analyze and contrast QSI factors, calibrations in airline traffic and fare, shifts in alliance memberships, variations in unit costs and adjustments in joint ventures and codeshares.
  • Schedule Input: Examine and compare alterations made to schedule inputs.
  • Market Size: Evaluate and contrast input market size data.
  • Result by O&D: Assess and compare results based on true Origin and Destination (O&D) metics.
  • Result by Segment: Investigate and compare results specific to individual segments or flights within the network.

To initiate the comparison process, simply click the Compare button. Upon completion, a dedicated dashboard displaying the comparison results will emerge as a new tab. You can conveniently access these dashboards later through the “Model Output Menu”.