Improving workforce scheduling of aircraft line maintenance at Sabena Technics

This paper presents the successful application of a visualization tool and optimization model based on mixed integer linear programming for a workforce staffing and scheduling problem at a major aircraft maintenance company in Belgium. The software was used to generate many alternative cost-efficient schedules and to analyze different scenarios. These schedules have been evaluated during several management meetings. We describe stakeholders’ concerns raised during these meetings and how the model was changed to successfully address them. The model has led to considerable savings and a more efficient use of human resources.status: publishe