Formation of methodology to model regional airspace with reference to traffic flows

Abstract

As the number of flights increases, the ATM system, which forms the basis for air navigation services, has to ensure that those flights are not only safe but also effective. Considering the growing impact of traffic flows and taking into account the not-always-satisfactory indicators of the efficiency of the ATM system, the current ATM system needs changes. Airspace is currently fragmented along national borders, which limits opportunities or even completely prevents the possibility to improve the efficiency of flights, i.e. to perform flights of optimal trajectories and to avoid delays. One of the conditions allowing the current ATM system to become more effective is the amalgamation of the airspace parts or blocks within which (currently in the airspace along national boarders) air navigation services are organised. Comparisons between the ATM systems functioning in different regions of the world show that the less fragmentation there is, the more efficient flights are. One of the main tasks remains, i.e. to establish airspace blocks that meet the expectations of the airspace users.

First published online: 02 Oct 2012

Keyword : air traffic management, airspace, airspace grids, hierarchical clusterisation