Page 24 - ATC Special Bulletin Series - Future Skies 2024

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| SPECIAL BULLETIN SERIES | 2024 |
FLYING TOWARDS EFFICIENCY:
TRAJECTORY-BASED OPERATIONS AND INTEGRATED AIRPORT MANAGEMENT
Linus YU
Senior Consultant Think Research
www.think.aero
As air travel steadily rebounds from the impact of the global pandemic, the aviation industry finds itself at a pivotal moment, seeking innovative solutions to meet the growing demands for both efficient operations and environmental sustainability. One of these solutions is trajectory-based operations (TBO) which have gained significant attention in the aviation industry in recent years for their ability to optimise flight paths and improve airspace capacity management.
REVOLUTIONISED AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT WITH TBO
Traditionally, flight plans filed by airlines followed predetermined routes based on navigation aids (NAVAIDs) or RNAV waypoints and are often indirect. Pilots react to weather with derivation requests through radio. Radar controllers react to potential conflicts and resolve them using different control techniques with a vision of their own sector environment and traffic information which often lacks a holistic view of overall efficiency. In contrast, TBO takes a dynamic approach, enabling airlines to file flight plans that encompass their desired optimal trajectories considering various factors such as aircraft performance, weather conditions, airspace constraints and traffic flow. A negotiation between flight planning systems and ATM automation then agrees the optimal trajectory considering airline desires and ATM/airspace constraints. Building upon concepts such as system wide information management (SWIM), TBO enables collaborative decision making (CDM) throughout all flight phases.
The TBO concept has the potential to bring a number of significant benefits to ANSPs and airlines. Automation will be able to provide recommendations to controllers and airlines for adjusting departure times, routes and speeds to optimise traffic flow and reduce delays. Fuel-saving routes can also be identified, leading to reduced emissions and environmental sustainability. The holistic view of aircraft trajectories with accurate and up-to-date information will help enhance situational awareness to controllers to make informed decisions which further reduces delay and enhances safety, efficiency and airspace capacity. TBO automation and real time information sharing will assist controllers, allowing for a more efficient and higher airspace capacity operation.
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