| ASK | Available seat kilometers, which is the total number of seats available on scheduled flights multiplied by the number of kilometers these seats were flown. ASK will generally be used as the denominator when calculating 'unit cost' |
|---|---|
| RPK | Revenue passenger kilometers, which is the number of paying passengers carried on scheduled flights multiplied by the number of kilometers those seats were flown |
| Load factor | RPK divided by ASK |
| Breakeven load factor | Cost per ASK divided by Revenue per RPK |
| Block hours | The time between the departure of an aircraft and its arrival at its destination, as recorded in the aircraft flight log |
| Aircraft utilisation | The amount of time that an aircraft spends in the air carrying passengers |
| Cost per ASK | Total operating expenses (excluding finance costs and taxation) divided by ASK. In the airline industry, this is comparable to 'unit cost' |
| Revenue per ASK | Total revenue divided by ASK |
| Revenue per RPK | Total revenue divided by RPK |
| Sector length | The length of the journey flown by the aircraft |
| Sector flown | Number of times a sector is flown |
| Bilateral | Air Services agreement between two governments |
| Seat Pitch | The distance between one seat and the same point on another seat directly in front or behind |
| First freedom | The freedom to fly across another state without landing |
| Third freedom | The freedom to put down in another state revenue passengers, mail and freight taken on in the state of airline registration |
| Fourth freedom | The freedom to take on in another state revenue passengers, mail and freight destined for the state of airline registration |
| Fifth freedom rights | The freedom that enables airlines to carry passengers to one country, and then fly on to another country (rather than back to their country of origin) |
| Sixth freedom | The privilege for an airline registered in one state to take on revenue passengers, mail and freight in a second state, transport them via the state of registration, and put them down in a third state |
| Seventh freedom | The privilege for an airline registered in one state to take on revenue passengers and freight to a second state and to put them down in a third state without the journey originating, stopping or terminating in the state of registration |
| 'A' checks | The basic inspection and routine servicing conducted on an aircraft every 250 hours flown to ensure that the aircraft is in an air-worthy state to continue flying |
| 'C' checks | The maintenance performed on an aircraft approximately every 11 months |
| 'D' checks | The complete overhaul performed on an aircraft approximately every seven years |
| Light maintenance | Daily routine checks on the aircraft, including daily pre-flight checks and overnight checks, as well as 'A' checks |
| Heavy maintenance | The 'C' and 'D' checks performed on an aircraft |
| Aircraft push back | The act of pushing an aircraft back from a gate or away from other aircraft at parking areas, to allow for an aircraft to begin taxiing under its own power |
I'm a seasoned aviation expert with an in-depth understanding of the intricate workings of the airline industry. My expertise is rooted in years of hands-on experience, having worked closely with various airlines and aviation professionals. From strategic planning to operational intricacies, I have navigated the complex landscape of the aviation sector, honing my knowledge through practical application.
Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article:
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Available Seat Kilometers (ASK):
- Definition: The total number of seats available on scheduled flights multiplied by the number of kilometers these seats were flown.
- Application: ASK is commonly used as the denominator when calculating the 'unit cost.'
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Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK):
- Definition: The number of paying passengers carried on scheduled flights multiplied by the number of kilometers those seats were flown.
- Relationship with ASK: Load factor, calculated by dividing RPK by ASK, provides insights into the efficiency of seat utilization.
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Load Factor:
- Definition: RPK divided by ASK.
- Significance: Indicates the percentage of available seats that are actually occupied, offering a measure of operational efficiency.
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Breakeven Load Factor:
- Definition: The load factor at which total revenue equals total expenses.
- Importance: Airlines aim to achieve load factors above the breakeven point to operate profitably.
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Cost per ASK:
- Definition: Total operating expenses (excluding finance costs and taxation) divided by ASK.
- Significance: Comparable to 'unit cost' in the airline industry, helping assess cost efficiency.
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Revenue per ASK:
- Definition: Total revenue divided by ASK.
- Purpose: Provides insights into the revenue generation efficiency of the airline.
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Block Hours:
- Definition: The time between the departure and arrival of an aircraft, recorded in the aircraft flight log.
- Application: Used to measure aircraft utilization, reflecting the time spent in the air carrying passengers.
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Aircraft Utilization:
- Definition: The amount of time that an aircraft spends in the air carrying passengers.
- Importance: A key factor in optimizing the efficiency of an airline's fleet.
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Sector Length:
- Definition: The length of the journey flown by the aircraft.
- Relationship with ASK and RPK: Affects the calculation of both ASK and RPK.
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Sector Flown:
- Definition: The number of times a sector (journey) is flown.
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Bilateral Air Services Agreement:
- Definition: An agreement between two governments regulating air services between their respective countries.
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Seat Pitch:
- Definition: The distance between one seat and the same point on another seat directly in front or behind.
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Freedom Rights (First to Seventh):
- Definitions: Rights governing the ability of airlines to operate internationally.
- Example: Fifth freedom rights allow airlines to carry passengers to one country and then fly on to another country.
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Checks on Aircraft (A, C, D):
- 'A' Checks: Basic inspection and routine servicing conducted every 250 hours flown.
- 'C' Checks: Maintenance performed approximately every 11 months.
- 'D' Checks: Complete overhaul performed approximately every seven years.
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Light Maintenance:
- Definition: Daily routine checks on the aircraft, including pre-flight and overnight checks, as well as 'A' checks.
-
Heavy Maintenance:
- Definition: 'C' and 'D' checks, involving more extensive overhauls of the aircraft.
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Aircraft Push Back:
- Definition: The act of pushing an aircraft back from a gate or other parking areas to allow for taxiing under its own power.
This comprehensive understanding of these concepts allows for a holistic perspective on the operational and economic dynamics within the aviation industry.
