Ever wonder why sometimes you must wait so long on the plane after landing? Recently I learned about the complex world of airport-gate management, and it's pretty interesting.
I found out this is a huge puzzle to figure out which plane goes to which gate. It's billions of combinations-even for small airports! The airlines have to think of so many things: where the plane was coming from, what type of aircraft it is, even which direction the wind is blowing. They're also working to put the planes near their airline lounges and considering how to work connecting flights for people to be able to get there.
What amazes me most is that so many airports use basic tools, like Excel, to calculate all of this. Can you imagine trying to solve such a complicated problem with a spreadsheet? It's no wonder that we sometimes end up waiting on the tarmac.
Times are changing, though.
Smart computer systems are now helping some airlines. A new system at American Airlines, for example, cuts what used to take humans 4 hours down to 10 minutes. That gets planes to the gate more quickly, saving fuel and reducing pollution.
But even more exciting, some companies use very powerful quantum computers to solve the issue. Their computers could possibly halve the waiting times of the passengers.
These developments have really raised my hopes as a frequent traveler. Shorter waits are less stressful and give me time to relax during my journeys. It's good to know that these changes are expected to help the environment by reducing fuel usage.
What do you think of these developments? Have you noticed any difference in your recent travels?