Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) is an enabler of air traffic management (ATM) efficiency and effectiveness. It contributes to the safety, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability of an air traffic management (ATM) system. ATFM supports air traffic control (ATC) in achieving the most efficient utilization of airspace and airport capacity.
ICAO’s Asia Pacific (APAC) Region has identified ATFM as a regional priority. The ICAO Asia/Pacific Air Traffic Flow Management Steering Group (ATFM/SG) is the regional body responsible for overviewing collaborative decision-making (CDM) coordination, facilitating the ATFM programs conducted in the region, and reviewing their effectiveness. The ATFM/SG developed the regional framework for collaborative ATFM that addresses ATFM implementation and operational issues in the Asia/Pacific Region.
Airport collaborative decision making (A-CDM) is a process that allows airport operators, aircraft operators, air traffic controllers, ground handling agents, pilots and air traffic flow managers to exchange operational information and work together to manage operations at airports efficiently.
The APAC Airport Collaborative Decision-Making Task Force (ACDM/TF) was tasked with reviewing the status of A-CDM implementation and the effectiveness of existing A-CDM programmes in the APAC Region and the degree of harmonization with global guidance material. The TF has developed APAC Regional ACDM Implementation Plan.
The core principle of ATFM and ACDM systems is to share information as an enabler for CDM. CDM process connects all aviation stakeholders such as aerodromes, ANSPs, airspace users (AUs), military and general aviation to find an optimal solution. Integrating these systems is vital to the success of connected ATFM and A-CDM processes and is globally recognized. The Regional Collaborative ATFM framework document has identified ACDM as a key concept for improving the CDM process.
The forthcoming meeting of ATFM/SG in September 2022 will be the first combined meeting of ATFM/SG and the former ACDM/TF. ICAO will play a key role in facilitating harmonization, ensuring interoperability and monitoring the regional performance expectations, in the region’s ATFM and A-CDM implementations. The enhanced platform will enable Member States and International Organizations to share and develop cohesive traffic flow management strategies across the APAC region.
Topics addressed in the ACDM/TF6 meeting and ATFM/SG/11 meetings, can be reviewed here and here.