Traffic flow management strategies to support super-dense operations in the terminal area

In order to achieve the goals associated with the NextGen concept of Super-Dense Operations (SDO) in the terminal area, it is necessary to integrate more tightly strategic and tactical operations. New tactical capabilities offer the potential to increase throughput by enabling reduced separation, more effective sequencing, parallel approaches and flexible arrival and departure routes. The foundation for these tactical capabilities include advanced communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) functions that enable control based on more closely spaced 4D trajectories enabled by aircraft with tighter Required Navigational Performance (RNP) and RNAV capabilities. Especially in weather scenarios, however, use of these tactical capabilities must be embedded in an integrated approach to managing the traffic flows providing arrivals and departures through SDO airspace. This paper focuses on the development of Collaborative Traffic Flow Management (CTFM) strategies to deliver aircraft to airports and metroplexes (groups of geographically close airports) in a manner that enables effective use of advanced tactical operations making use of Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO) - using 4D Trajectories as a basis to support closely spaced, parallel approaches and departures and the optimization of trajectories to reduce fuel consumption and minimize environmental impacts.