Dublin Airport and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) have embarked on a joint initiative to improve the flow of air traffic by incorporating Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) into the management of daily flights.
A-CDM is a Europe-wide initiative under the guidance of Eurocontrol, the European organization responsible for the safety of air navigation, and focuses on aircraft turnaround times and pre-departure sequencing processes to boost air traffic flow and operational efficiency by reducing delays and increasing the predictability of events.
The implementation of A-CDM will increase capacity at participating airports and the capacity of European airspace by offering improved real-time information sharing between airport operators, aircraft operators, ground handlers and air traffic control. It means fewer late gate changes and faster taxi times.
Vincent Harrison, managing director, Dublin Airport, said, “We are delighted Dublin Airport is the first airport in Ireland to use the A-CDM process. We are fully committed to this initiative which will improve aircraft arrival, departure and turnaround times leading to greater efficiencies, and ultimately, improving the overall passenger experience.
“Importantly, A-CDM will help reduce fuel burn and CO₂ emissions from aircraft and vehicles operating on the airfield. Dublin Airport is mandated to implement A-CDM by January 1, 2021, and we are delighted to have the initiative in train about two years ahead of schedule.”
Paul McCann, general manager, IAA Terminal Services, said, “By cooperating together on this project Daa and the IAA are supporting, not just Dublin Airport, but the European air traffic network in general.”
A-CDM has already been implemented at 28 European airports, accounting for 37% of departures across Europe.
Dublin Airport and the IAA will now enter a six-month data verification exercise with the European network manager, with the aim of becoming a fully certified A-CDM airport by this summer.
Dublin Airport secured €356,000 (US$403,000) in European funding for the program under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for Transport.