A Method of Dual-Hub Route Network Optimization Based on Route Efficiency Evaluation

Dual-hub is a unique model, known as “one-city two-airports,” which is increasingly being adopted by cities. A key aspect of this model involves developing both airports as major international hubs. Emphasizing route differentiation is pivotal, as significant route overlap would lead to inefficient resource utilization. Therefore, achieving proper differentiation in the route network is a fundamental objective. However, the current dual-hub route network remains relatively immature. Therefore, this paper investigates the dual-hub route network efficiency assessment and optimization method through three-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) and a route network optimization mathematical model, aiming to improve the dual-hub route efficiency, moderately reduce the route overlap, and then form an efficient and differentiated dual-hub route network. In the example, the efficiency of the routes of Beijing dual-hub, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), is evaluated, and the route network of dual-hub is optimized using the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm III (NSGA-III). The research results show that the proposed method can satisfy the capacity limitation of the dual-hub airports and the limitation of the flights of each route, improve the overall operation efficiency of the dual-hub routes, and reduce both the overlap of the routes and the passengers’ departure airport selection cost. It also can reduce the waste of resources owing to the redundancy of the routes, while ensuring the efficient operation of the dual-hub routes.