Coordinating aircraft maintenance routing and integrated maintenance staffing and rostering: a Stackelberg game theoretical model

There is an interdependence between operational-based flight delay aircraft maintenance routing problem (AMRPD) and maintenance staffing problem (MSP). Furthermore, MSP and maintenance rostering problem (MRP) are interdependent. In the literature, most of the studies only consider a single interdependence and neglect the other one. This results in difficulties in implementing the optimal plan constructed by each problem, leading finally to an increase in the operational cost of airlines and maintenance providers. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate these interdependences simultaneously. This is accomplished by developing a Stackelberg game model (LFSGM), in which leader and follower are the airlines and maintenance providers, respectively. This LFSGM is modelled as a bi-level mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model. The upper-level is represented by the AMRPD, while the integrated maintenance staffing and rostering (IMSR) functions as the lower-level. The solution of the LFSGM is obtained from an iterative algorithm. The viability and superiority of the LFSGM are demonstrated by presenting a case study of a leading airline in the Middle East serviced by four maintenance providers. The results reveal a significant cost saving for airline and maintenance providers.