At the Milan Area Control Centre, responsible for overseeing airspace in north-west Italy during both the en-route and airport approach phases, the Arrival Manager (AMAN) is currently in operation. This technological tool aims to enhance the efficiency of managing flights arriving at Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, and Bergamo Orio al Serio airports.
ENAV SpA: more efficient routes for approaches to Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo airports
ENAV SpA, the Italian Air Navigation Service Provider, has projected a notable improvement, estimating an average reduction of 30 seconds per individual flight at Malpensa Airport. This reduction translates to approximately 4.8 kilometers of a shorter distance, resulting in fuel savings of 30 kilograms per flight—equivalent to around 93 kilograms of CO2.
Specifically designed to aid air traffic controllers during the approach phase to the arrival airport, AMAN operates from the aircraft’s descent initiation, close to leaving cruise level, until it aligns with the landing runway. This innovative system supports controllers in determining the optimal arrival sequence for each aircraft, thereby reducing flight time and promoting fuel efficiency during the approach to airports.
The Estimated Landing Time (ELDT) is calculated using predicted trajectory data and radar system updates. AMAN strategically plans the arrival sequence, beginning 180 miles (about 330 kilometers) from the runway. It dynamically updates Target Landing Times (TLDT) through successive checks at specific points along the arrival routes, facilitating traffic flow optimization.
As of December 23, 2022, the Arrival Manager has been operational at the ENAV Control Centre in Rome for the approach phase at Fiumicino Airport. It has already contributed to an overall reduction of more than 360,000 kilograms of fuel, resulting in a lower CO2 emission of approximately 1 million kilograms.
