COVID-19 Grounded Aircraft - Parking and Storing Cover Image

COVID-19 Grounded Aircraft - Parking and Storing
COVID-19 Grounded Aircraft - Parking and Storing

Author(s): Francisco Serrano, Antonín Kazda
Subject(s): Health and medicine and law, Transport / Logistics
Published by: Žilinská univerzita v Žilině
Keywords: aircraft grounding; parking positions; storing aircraft; pavement strength; aircraft maintenance;

Summary/Abstract: Air transport industry is one the many sectors significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel restrictions and bans resulted in reduction in aircraft operation. Airlines have no option than to limit their services by grounding their fleet: as of April 2020, out of 22,000 passenger aircraft around the world, almost 14,400 were grounded [1]. Airport operators are trying to accommodate most of the grounded aircraft by utilizing their main operational space as aprons, taxiways and runways. The limited space at airports often means that aircraft have to be parked in non-standard positions, which may affect the airport daily operations. While planning aircraft parking, safety is the top priority. The effect of long-term load was not considered in the pavement design and could result in increased pavement maintenance requirements. Airport operators must also reflect aircraft maintenance needs in terms of engines, hydraulics, braking system, cabin interior and others.

  • Issue Year: 23/2021
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 103-115
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: English