Air traffic controllers, airlines and Eurocontrol trial initiative to address trajectory inefficiency

Partners trial enhanced customer services with airlines

Several air navigation service providers, airlines and the Eurocontrol Network Manager have teamed up to trial a unique customer service (the so-called “Customer Initiative”) which aims to address flight trajectory inefficiency, offer coordinated tactical directs or higher cruising levels, or arrange exceptional non-standard routeings and profiles in support of aircraft operators’ operations and fleet management.

The overarching objectives are to relieve pressure on airline operation control centres, focusing in particular on priority situations and critical flights, e.g. EU 261 incidences, airport curfews, crew hour limitations, rotation problems, delays with high financial impact, passenger and freight connections, or schedule disruptions and the associated network shockwave. The focus is on achieving high-value results, in particular by proposing the best possible flight planning options, which might not be detected by flight planning software, and by guaranteeing on-time arrival.

The trial will run from 15 September to 15 November 2021 and will cover the airspace of Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Ireland and the UK. Results are expected in December 2021.

The Customer Initiative is a combined effort, offering solutions that transcend regular constraints and alleviating network complexity. Developed during periods of low traffic due to the pandemic, this initiative is expected to generate tangible gains in terms of fuel consumption, lower emissions, savings in route charges and shorter flying times as soon as heavy traffic resumes.

The solution which supports the Customer Initiative – the MUAC ATM Portal – has been deployed in several countries in the core European airspace.

Via the MUAC ATM Portal, partners can easily connect to the network in real time with an intuitive interface. The tool automatically detects critical impacts on flights and allows the operator to upgrade any flight to ‘Priority’ status. The ATM Portal enhances situational awareness and collaborative decision-making between airline operation control centres, ANSP flow management positions and the Network Manager, and ensures effective cross-border coordination.

The customer Initiative aims to respond dynamically to customer requirements by focusing on the most penalised flights, generating immediate value for aircraft operators. It uses data analytics in a co-creational setting to develop a new standard for improved operations in order to meet the needs of aircraft operators.

15 September 2021