Design of Ground Delay Programs Considering the Stakeholder Perspective

Abstract

A Ground Delay Program (GDP) is an initiative used by the FAA to manage the rate at which aircraft demand arrival at capacity-constrained airports. In this paper, we adapt a framework developed by Mitchell et al. (1997) to identify and determine the importance of the key stakeholders in the design of a GDP. Comparing our results with current practice, we find that passengers and the federal government do not receive consideration that is commensurate with their level of importance. We conclude with suggestions for how the FAA might address this disparity in the design of GDPs.