Dr Cheng-Lung (Richard) Wu is a Senior Lecturer with the Department of Aviation at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. He obtained his PhD from Loughborough University, UK, in 2001. Since then Cheng-Lung has devoted much of his time to the subjects of airline operations, schedule planning/optimization, and delay/operations modeling, both through his research and also consulting for several major airlines. Cheng-Lung also publishes extensively in major air transport journals, such as the Journal of Air Transport Management and Transportation Planning and Technology, and is an editorial board member of the World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research and the International Journal of Aviation Management.
'Network and Schedule Planning are key functions in any airline. In practice, many airlines do not give these issues the depth of analysis they deserve. Wu's book is a practical guide to application of complex network theory, and to resolving the management of conflicting demands on schedulers. It provides valuable lessons for airline managers to improve their on-time performance, delay management and efficient utilisation of their fleet.' David Forsyth, Chairman Airservices Australia, and former Executive General Manager Airline Operations, QANTAS 'Airline network planning and schedule optimisation sets up a wide range set of problems to be resolved, entailing operations research, economics and other disciplines. Wu's book provides a systematic yet practical guide to these. The book is masterly in the way that it elucidates complex material and builds up to reach a comprehensive synthesis. The result is a book which can be recommended strongly to both students and researchers.' Peter Forsyth, Monash University, Australia 'In my view, the book will benefit airline personnel directly involved in schedule planning and operations by making a cross-functional view available to them leading to much greater understanding.' Aerlines, Issue 49, 2011 'Dr Wu has done an outstanding job of delineating the challenges faced by airlines in building their schedules and making them more robust. He outlines key strategies in minimising delays such as depeaking or rolling hubs. The book is well written and it is easy to follow the author's reasoning. Dr Wu utilises his consultant experience with cases and examples that provide real-life applications. The level of mathematics makes it easier for airline practitioners and students to understand the key concepts and apply them. Dr Wu's latest book is a great companion to Airline Operations and Scheduling by Massoud Bazargan, also published by Ashgate.' Journal of Airport Management, Vol 4 No 4, 2010