Knowing exactly when an aircraft is due to arrive has a direct impact on airport efficiency, especially if arrivals and departures are handled on the same runway, or on dependent runways. Improving coordination between en-route controllers, approach and tower controllers results in more accurate information about the arrival sequence that can lead to more predictable airport operations.
By integrating the activities of the arrival manager (AMAN) and the departure manager (DMAN) tools, an optimisation algorithm can calculate the ideal traffic flow that takes account of both arriving and departing aircraft. Departure flow to the runway is managed by the pre-departure sequencing planning tool, while arrival flow to the runway is managed by arrival metering. Arrival and departure flows to the same runway (or for dependent runways) are integrated by setting up a fixed arrivaldeparture pattern for defined periods. The successive pattern might be chosen by the operators or provided by an optimisation algorithm which takes account of arrival and departure demand. The solution is an enabler for accurate runway sequencing and facilitates long-range planning such as extended arrival management. It results in increased predictability, which leads to high capacity and less fuel burn, and better coordination between controllers.
This solution is part of synchronised deployment plans. To date, the solution has been implemented at Zurich Airport.
SJU references: #54/Release 4
Benefits
- Increased predictability resulting in increased runway throughput
- Reduced fuel burn
Datapack