Models and Methods for Optimizing Baggage Handling at Airports

The dissertation treats modeling and optimization of baggage handling processes at airports. The baggage flow from the check-ins to the departing airplanes and from the arriving airplanes to the baggage claims are considered. For the planning of outbound and inbound baggage handling mixed-integer programs are developed. The objectives of the models, among others, minimize the workload peaks at the handling facilities. Due to the complexity of the problems, efficient solution procedures are developed. Computational studies show considerable improvements when compared to the current planning approach of airports.