Total fuel reduction via formation flights; a new approach to air-corridor path optimization

This paper presents a new approach to better utilize international air-corridors for formation flights. Using Particle Swarm Optimization, we show how different long-range flights can be brought together to form a formation. The idea serves both to increase international air-corridor capacities together and to decrease fuel consumption up to 8-10%. Case studies show that there are many places which such an approach could effectively be implemented to help cope with increase in fuel price as well as the demand for aerial transport of passengers and goods