The user-driven prioritisation process allows airlines to change the priority order of unregulated flights among themselves and in collaboration with the airport authorities. Airlines are given this flexibility in the pre-departure sequence (PDS) for last‑minute disruptions, which usually lead to departure delays or cancelled flights.
A full-scale demonstration at a major European hub introduced the SESAR tool as part of the airport’s existing pre-departure sequencing process. The Departure Flexibility (DFlex) project allowed airlines to re-order departures based on their operational requirements while still early in the planning stages. It also included a ‘ready-to-depart’ functionality to support an immediate swap for a flight that is ready for start-up. Participating airlines were given the opportunity to agree to a new target start-up approval time (TSAT) with air traffic control to optimise their schedules.
Among benefits, the tool helped to manage a runway closure which otherwise would have prevented passengers making flight connections, and delays were selectively kept to a minimum for long‑haul flights. The solution creates more opportunities for departure flexibility within a group of airlines, with benefits increasing as more airlines join. It requires a pre-departure planning process to function, for example using information already shared between operators about planned push-back, start-up and target take-off times. It is especially beneficial in case of disruption with significant financial benefits for the airlines.
This solution is available for industrialisation.
SJU references: #57/Release 4
Benefits
- Reduced airline delay costs in case of disrupted situations, without jeopardising airport and network performance
- Increased flexibility for airlines Improved environmental performance
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