Optimizing Flight Delay Predictions with Scorecard Systems

Flight delays represent a significant challenge for airlines, airports, and passengers, impacting operational costs and customer satisfaction. Traditional prediction methods often rely on complex statistical analysis and mathematical models that may not be easily implementable. This study proposes s...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ilona Jacyna-Gołda, Krzysztof Cur, Justyna Tomaszewska, Karol Przanowski, Sarka Hoskova-Mayerova, Szymon Świergolik
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/5918
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Flight delays represent a significant challenge for airlines, airports, and passengers, impacting operational costs and customer satisfaction. Traditional prediction methods often rely on complex statistical analysis and mathematical models that may not be easily implementable. This study proposes scorecards as an innovative and simplified approach to forecast flight delays. Historical flight data from the United States were used, incorporating variables such as departure and arrival times, flight routes, aircraft types, and other factors related to delay. Exploratory data analysis identified key variables influencing delays, and scorecards were constructed by assigning weights, normalizing, and scaling variables to improve interpretability. The model was validated using test datasets, and predictive performance was evaluated by comparing forecast delays with actual results. The results indicate that scorecards provide accurate and interpretable predictions of flight delays. This method facilitates the identification of critical factors that contribute to delays and allows for an estimation of their likelihood and duration. Scorecards offer a practical tool for airlines and airport operators, potentially enhancing decision-making processes, reducing delay-related costs, and improving service quality. Future research should explore the integration of scorecards into operational systems and the inclusion of additional variables to increase model robustness and generalizability.
ISSN:2076-3417