I am a Lecturer & Researcher in Aviation Operations & Public Service Efficiency, specialising in efficiency analysis and capacity utilisation in the aviation industry. I am a Board Member of the German Aviation Research Society (GARS) and Fellow of Advance HE (FHEA).
I am a dedicated researcher specialising in aviation operations management, efficiency, and productivity analysis (both parametric and non-parametric).
My research is driven by real-world industrial challenges in air transport and public service provision, with an emphasis on performance measurement and productivity improvement. My research focuses on efficiency analysis and capacity utilisation in the aviation industry (Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA)), complemented by Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques.
Efficiency analysis and capacity utilisation in the aviation industry (airports and airlines), using non-parametric methods such as Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and parametric, Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), Artificial Intelligence, Visualisation and Machine Learning techniques.
A key strand of my work examines aviation decarbonisation through the analysis of aircraft approach operations, comparing slot allocation systems in the US and Europe. I also study airline efficiency, incorporating undesirable outputs such as congestion and delays into performance evaluation models.
Additional interests include airport slot allocation and market design, including the potential treatment of slots as tradable assets, their possible recognition in financial statements, and the implications of secondary trading markets for reducing entry barriers and enhancing competition in the airline industry. I also focus on the critical analysis of publicly funded infrastructure and services, evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of taxpayer-financed investment.
Centralised governance and a lack of competition reduce efficiency in airport systems.
Overcapacity (more investment) does not imply better performance; airports’ resource allocation matters more.
Introducing competition, i.e., decentralised management, can significantly increase operational efficiency.
The presence of women in managerial roles improves airports efficiency. DEA Visualisation (DEA and multivariate analysis) provide deeper, more actionable insights into efficiency for decision-making.
I I am currently assessing how to decarbonise the aviation industry by analysing aircraft approach movements in airport vicinities, comparing US and European airports. I also work on improving the efficiency of US airlines using AI-based methods, incorporating undesirable outputs such as congestion and delays into performance evaluation models.
As a Board Member of the German Aviation Research Society (GARS), I contribute to strengthening the link between academia and industry by organising workshops, conferences, and collaborative events that bring together researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers. These activities foster dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the practical application of aviation research.
I also serve as a journal reviewer (Q1, Q2) and actively contribute to advancing knowledge in these fields. As a predoctoral researcher, I participated in the COST Action TU1408 – Air Transport and Regional Development (ATARD), contributing to research on the role of aviation connectivity in supporting economic growth in regional and remote areas.
Business and data analytics, quantitative methods, efficiency analysis, airports and airlines operations, simulation.
ane.ripoll-zarraga@uab.cat
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