Xiaoqian Sun

Xiaoqian Sun, PhD

Professor (教授, 博导)
Department of Electronics and Information Engineering
National Key Lab of CNS/ATM
Beihang University
Beijing, China

Phone: +86 10 8233 8036
Email: sunxq[at]buaa(dot)edu(dot)cn

I am a professor at Beihang University. Before joining Beihang, I worked for eight years in the German Aerospace Center (DLR). I am a Theodore von Kármán fellow of RWTH Aachen, a TU Dresden fellow, and a Vice President of the Air Transport Research Society. I am also the Co-EIC of the Journal of the Air Transport Research Society, an Associate Editor for the Journal of Air Transport Management as well as the IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems.

In my research, I am mostly interested in air transportation systems and the solution of hard optimization problems in all domains of aviation, with a strong emphasis on policy implications. Results of my research have been published in venues such as Transportation Science, Transportation Research Part A/B/C/D/E, Transport Policy, Networks and Spatial Economics, and Transportmetrica A/B. I have reviewed for various international journals in the past, covering domains of transportation, optimization, and networked systems. A list of my key publications can be found below. A detailed CV is available on request.

Ten selected key publications

  1. Xiaoqian Sun, Jiaxuan Wu, Hongyu Yang, Shangrong Chen, Max Lawrence-Griffiths, Xibei Jia, Yahua Zhang, and Sebastian Wandelt. Hydrogen for aviation: A meta-review of surveys and key challenges.
    Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 157, Article 105435, 2026. DOIIF=7.7 (Q1)CiteScore=13.6Cited by 0
  2. Xiaoqian Sun, Sebastian Wandelt, and Morton O'Kelly. From structure to function: A comprehensive benchmark on the estimation of hubs in air transportation through complex network metrics.
    Journal of Transport Geography, 131, Article 104535, 2026. DOIIF=6.3 (Q1)CiteScore=10.0Cited by 0
  3. Xiaoqian Sun, Morton O'Kelly, and Sebastian Wandelt. On the connectivity and resilience of airline overlays: An empirical study from individual airlines to system-wide effects.
    Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 203, Article 104333, 2025. DOIIF=8.8 (Q1)CiteScore=14.0Cited by 2
  4. Xiaoqian Sun, Changhong Zheng, Xinyue Chen, and Sebastian Wandelt. Multiple airport regions: A review of concepts, insights and challenges.
    Journal of Transport Geography, 120, Article 103974, 2024. DOIIF=6.3 (Q1)CiteScore=10.0Cited by 16
  5. Xiaoqian Sun, Changhong Zheng, Jiachang Li, Changmin Jiang, Anming Zhang, and Sebastian Wandelt. A review on research regarding HSR interactions with air transport and outlook for future research challenges.
    Transport Policy, 157, pp. 74-85, 2024. DOIIF=5.3 (Q1)CiteScore=10.3Cited by 36
  6. Xiaoqian Sun, Sebastian Wandelt, and Anming Zhang. Price discrimination through hidden city options? A data-driven study on the extent and evolution of skiplaggability in the global aviation system.
    Journal of Air Transport Management, 108, Article 102373, 2023. DOIIF=3.6 (Q2)CiteScore=8.4Cited by 10
  7. Xiaoqian Sun, Sebastian Wandelt, and Anming Zhang. A data-driven analysis of the aviation recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Journal of Air Transport Management, 109, Article 102401, 2023. DOIIF=3.6 (Q2)CiteScore=8.4Cited by 66
  8. Xiaoqian Sun, Sebastian Wandelt, and Anming Zhang. STARTUPS: Founding airlines during COVID-19 - A hopeless endeavor or an ample opportunity for a better aviation system?.
    Transport Policy, 118, pp. 10-19, 2022. DOIIF=5.3 (Q1)CiteScore=10.3Cited by 22
  9. Xiaoqian Sun, Sebastian Wandelt, and Anming Zhang. Technological and educational challenges towards pandemic-resilient aviation.
    Transport Policy, 114, pp. 104-115, 2021. DOIIF=5.3 (Q1)CiteScore=10.3Cited by 53
  10. Xiaoqian Sun, Sebastian Wandelt, and Anming Zhang. Delayed reaction towards emerging COVID-19 variants of concern: Does history repeat itself?.
    Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 152, pp. 203-215, 2021. DOIIF=6.8 (Q1)CiteScore=12.1Cited by 35