Evaluation and optimization of operational efficiency of terminal area in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei integration

The implementation of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei integration strategy has accelerated the coordinated development of civil aviation in the terminal area. However, the anticipated increase in traffic volume is likely to result in congestion, thereby reducing operational efficiency. To address this issue, this study evaluates the terminal area’s operational efficiency. A comprehensive evaluation index system and a super-efficiency SBM model are developed to assess current performance and identify potential improvements using slack variable projections. Based on the operational characteristics of the terminal area and the results of the efficiency assessment, a flight time optimization model is constructed from the perspective of time resource allocation, leading to an optimized allocation scheme. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed optimization, both pre- and post-optimization schemes are simulated using the TAAM. The simulation results demonstrate that the optimized timing scheme reduces the delay rates at Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing, Tianjin Binhai, and Shijiazhuang Zhengding airports by 15.6%, 13.35%, 11.03%, and 8.42%, respectively, while enhancing the average operational efficiency of the integrated Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei terminal area by 24.875%.