DALLAS, Dec. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Optym is pleased to announce that Southwest Airlines® has begun using SkySYM™ to strengthen the operational reliability of the carrier's flight schedules. Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded.
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SkySYM is an advanced network simulation system that measures the operational performance of airline flight schedules with respect to on-time arrivals, schedule recoverability and passenger connections. Part of the Sky by Optym suite of network planning solutions for airlines, SkySYM provides industry-first capabilities to model major operational factors including aircraft flows, passenger flows, maintenance activities, weather patterns, ATC events, and crew and baggage delays. Furthermore, it also provides insights for operational readiness and recommendations to adjust contingency in the schedule to improve overall robustness. By simulating planned schedules under real-world conditions, SkySYM serves as a highly accurate testing lab to measure and evaluate the robustness of multiple proposed flight schedules before they are implemented. The results of SkySYM will improve customer experience through a reduction in delayed flights.
Optym's work with Southwest Airlines began over two years ago when the airline needed a new-generation flight scheduling system to create more optimized schedules. The schedule optimization system, called SkyMAX, was deployed at Southwest Airlines earlier this year. Now with SkySYM also in use, the carrier has the most advanced suite of airline network planning and scheduling solutions on the market to optimize operational performance.
"Developing SkySYM to simulate the operation of our highly complex, point-to-point route network was no simple task. With SkySYM, we will better understand the impact that different network designs have on our operational performance. We are very pleased with the dedication, expertise and commitment that Optym displayed at every step of this journey, and with the results we are seeing," said Southwest Airlines Senior Manager of Operational Performance Jeff Borges.
"Every airline wants to build optimal flight schedules that will both maximize profits and be more reliable," said Renzo Vaccari, Vice President of Airline Solutions at Optym. "Working together, we were able to implement and calibrate SkySYM successfully to provide precise simulation results. Our results show that the system predicts on-time performance indicators with greater than 90 percent accuracy. I want to thank everyone on the Southwest and Optym teams for making this happen. Everything is impossible until somebody does it."
ABOUT OPTYM
Decision automation and optimization is the future of all industries. Until now, all decision making for most operations has been manual, and humans have been making decisions based on experience and instincts. However, as our world becomes more interconnected and our operations larger, it leads to complexities beyond the capability of humans to manage effectively.
Decision automation systems reduce dependence on humans, leading to consistent decision-making throughout your organization. Decision automation systems also lead to optimization, since computers can evaluate millions of options in a second and recommend the best course of action.
Optym builds decision automation and optimization solutions for the scheduling of assets and resources. These systems improve services, reduce costs and make businesses more efficient. More details about Optym are available at: www.optym.com.
Media Contact: Janice Kaplan, Optym, Phone: 352.334.7283; ext. 352, Email: janice.kaplan@optym.com
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 45th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 48,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest operates more than 3,600 flights a day, serving 97 destinations across the United States and seven additional countries.
Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate connectivity. That connectivity enables Customers to use their personal devices to access streaming music provided by Apple Music or to view video on-demand movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of our valued Partners. Southwest created Transfarency℠, a philosophy which treats Customers honestly and fairly, and in which low fares actually stay low. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free® to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some airlines may allow free checked bags on select routes or for qualified circumstances), and there are no change fees, though fare differences might apply. In 2014, the airline proudly unveiled a bold new look: Heart. The new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcase the dedication of Southwest Employees to connect Customers with what's important in their lives.
From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic whenever the carrier enters new markets. With 42 consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2014 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at SouthwestOneReport.com.
Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.
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