Briefly describe how "the unexpected" makes short-term scheduling at Air Canada a challenge. Also describe how Air Canada meets that challenge, and achieves competitive advantage through short-term scheduling.

The unexpected refers to delays and cancellations that are largely weather-related. These events require rapid rescheduling in order to keep operations going and to keep passengers from becoming too inconvenienced. Air Canada's solution involves a high-tech nerve centre of computers and communications gear, and uses mathematical models to reroute and reschedule as quickly as possible.