The Theory of Constraints in Aviation

The Theory of Constraints (TOC) in aviation is a management approach that identifies the single largest limiting factor— or constraint— preventing an airline or airport from achieving higher efficiency or throughput. By focusing on this bottleneck, such as aircraft maintenance, air traffic control, or boarding processes, organizations can optimize or improve that specific area. Addressing the constraint allows for smoother operation, reduced delays, and better utilization of resources. Essentially, TOC emphasizes targeted problem-solving to boost overall system performance by continuously improving the critical limiting point.