Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GALAAD (Green Aviation – Lean Arrivals And Dynamicity)
Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2024-12-31
In order to meet the forecast traffic growth, and improve environmental sustainability, GALAAD developed concepts, tools and procedures to increase the capacity of Terminal Manoeuvring Areas (TMAs) in a safe, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable manner. This aimed to be achieved by taking advantage of the latest technological developments from both an airborne and a ground-system perspective.
The project addresses a concept for PBN (Performance Based Navigation) route structures (trombones, point merge or other) to be activated or deactivated depending, for example, on the time of day, for noise control purposes, or depending on traffic demand, so that the use of more complex route structures is avoided during periods of low demand, enabling agile responses to variations of operational conditions in the terminal area such as traffic density, airspace availability or environmental constraints. The end-to-end concept is addressed with the delivery of the appropriate STAR clearance to each aircraft via voice or CPDLC (Controller Pilot Data Link Communication) thanks to enhanced onboard capabilities to support the Pilot in his/her decision for proposed trajectory acceptance.
Arrival Manager (AMAN) system with enhanced functionalities as needed, is expected to support ATCO for the dynamic assignment of the optimal and most eco-efficient PBN route structures, depending on metrics such as predicted arrival airborne delay. The dynamic use of PBN route structures will allow trade-offs and optimisation of benefits depending on traffic demand (e.g. improved capacity during peak periods, fuel-efficient operations during off-peaks, reduced noise footprint at night) in the TMA.
GALAAD will concentrate its efforts on enhancing operations within the terminal area airspace, with a specific focus on achieving greater fuel efficiency and environmental sustainability without compromising capacity, safety, human performance and cost efficiency.
To measure the realization of the objectives and expected benefits, the project will adopt a standard methodology and metrics, complemented by metrics developed by EUROCONTROL to measure flight efficiency improvements derived from changes to the airspace structure and the operation.
This will be achieved through the development and validation of the concepts defined in the operational improvements to aim at achieving the TRL4 (V2) Maturity Level at the end of the project.
The project addresses a concept for PBN (Performance Based Navigation) route structures (trombones, point merge or other) to be activated or deactivated depending, for example, on the time of day, for noise control purposes, or depending on traffic demand, so that the use of more complex route structures is avoided during periods of low demand, enabling agile responses to variations of operational conditions in the terminal area such as traffic density, airspace availability or environmental constraints. The end-to-end concept is addressed with the delivery of the appropriate STAR clearance to each aircraft via voice or CPDLC (Controller Pilot Data Link Communication) thanks to enhanced onboard capabilities to support the Pilot in his/her decision for proposed trajectory acceptance.
Arrival Manager (AMAN) system with enhanced functionalities as needed, is expected to support ATCO for the dynamic assignment of the optimal and most eco-efficient PBN route structures, depending on metrics such as predicted arrival airborne delay. The dynamic use of PBN route structures will allow trade-offs and optimisation of benefits depending on traffic demand (e.g. improved capacity during peak periods, fuel-efficient operations during off-peaks, reduced noise footprint at night) in the TMA.
GALAAD will concentrate its efforts on enhancing operations within the terminal area airspace, with a specific focus on achieving greater fuel efficiency and environmental sustainability without compromising capacity, safety, human performance and cost efficiency.
To measure the realization of the objectives and expected benefits, the project will adopt a standard methodology and metrics, complemented by metrics developed by EUROCONTROL to measure flight efficiency improvements derived from changes to the airspace structure and the operation.
This will be achieved through the development and validation of the concepts defined in the operational improvements to aim at achieving the TRL4 (V2) Maturity Level at the end of the project.
Project initiation started at both the Project and the Solutions levels. Solution kick-off meeting took place during September 2023 at ENAV premises (Rome, Fiumicino airport), in September 2023. The initial overview of the solution within the project was shared amongst the team. As part of the preparation for the Project kick-off the project also worked with the solution lead and respective WP teams to refine the solution planning.
Scoping and Definition workshops were conducted to review the outcomes of the S2020 Wave 1/Wave 2 work and to refine the EN’s going forward into the project implementation.
Most relevant meetings at project level during the period are:
• The PMB#1 took place in January 2024 via the TEAMS platform.
• The PMB#2 took place in June 2024 via the TEAMS platform.
• The PMB#3 took place in October 2024 F2F meeting in Rome (ENAV ACC premises).
• The PMB#4 took place in November 2025 via the TEAMS platform.
• Technical Project Review Meeting #1 on April 2024 F2F meeting in Bruxelles (SESAR JU HQ premises)
• Regularly Solution monthly progress meetings have also continued through TEAMS platforms.
• Project Monthly progress meetings with the S3JU have also continued through TEAMS platforms.
The Solution 0444 “Dynamic use of PBN route structures” is on track, operational and technical definition has been initiated. Other task like Validation Plan description, Standardization and Regulatory descriptions have been also started and official and draft deliverables produced along the reference reporting period.
Overall, the Initial concept and high-level specifications were laid down in the “initial edition” of Project deliverables submitted in February 2024 and then refined during 2024 to be prepared for “intermediate edition” due end of March 2025. Amongst a wide range of addressed aspects, the latest versions of the project deliverables define the concerned concept, specify architecture, process flows, benefit mechanisms as well as delve into regulatory and standardisation needs.
Validation & Assessment plans initial and intermediate editions were developed and submitted to SJU including full RTS#2 validation plan, initial input for RTS#1 and RTS#3 validation plans, HP, SAF and Security assessment plans (initial versions).
Scoping and Definition workshops were conducted to review the outcomes of the S2020 Wave 1/Wave 2 work and to refine the EN’s going forward into the project implementation.
Most relevant meetings at project level during the period are:
• The PMB#1 took place in January 2024 via the TEAMS platform.
• The PMB#2 took place in June 2024 via the TEAMS platform.
• The PMB#3 took place in October 2024 F2F meeting in Rome (ENAV ACC premises).
• The PMB#4 took place in November 2025 via the TEAMS platform.
• Technical Project Review Meeting #1 on April 2024 F2F meeting in Bruxelles (SESAR JU HQ premises)
• Regularly Solution monthly progress meetings have also continued through TEAMS platforms.
• Project Monthly progress meetings with the S3JU have also continued through TEAMS platforms.
The Solution 0444 “Dynamic use of PBN route structures” is on track, operational and technical definition has been initiated. Other task like Validation Plan description, Standardization and Regulatory descriptions have been also started and official and draft deliverables produced along the reference reporting period.
Overall, the Initial concept and high-level specifications were laid down in the “initial edition” of Project deliverables submitted in February 2024 and then refined during 2024 to be prepared for “intermediate edition” due end of March 2025. Amongst a wide range of addressed aspects, the latest versions of the project deliverables define the concerned concept, specify architecture, process flows, benefit mechanisms as well as delve into regulatory and standardisation needs.
Validation & Assessment plans initial and intermediate editions were developed and submitted to SJU including full RTS#2 validation plan, initial input for RTS#1 and RTS#3 validation plans, HP, SAF and Security assessment plans (initial versions).
Solution 0444 “Dynamic use of PBN route structures” proposes the creation of a new Enabler/(s) in support of the proposed activities in GALAAD project. To this aim, the Project formally submitted several Change Requests onto STELLAR platform (e.g. CR2698, CR2699, CR2700. CR2701, CR2702, CR2703 and CR2704)
The initial maturity level for this Solution 0444 is TRL 2 taking into consideration the work performed in the S2020 Wave 1/Wave 2. The Solution 0444 follows up the outcomes coming from SESAR 2020 Wave1/Wave 2. Furthermore, the Solution will deliver one Data Pack.
Arrival Manager (AMAN) system with enhanced functionalities as needed, is expected to support ATCO for the dynamic assignment of the optimal and most eco-efficient PBN route structures, depending on metrics such as predicted arrival airborne delay.
The dynamic use of PBN route structures will allow trade-offs and optimisation of benefits depending on traffic demand (e.g. improved capacity during peak periods, fuel-efficient operations during off-peaks, reduced noise footprint at night) in the TMA.
• GALAAD Dynamicity in the execution phase of the flight is distinguished in Procedural dynamicity, where arrival routes are selected among a predefined set for given periods during the day according to predicted traffic demand, with a sufficient look-ahead time. In that case, the route options are published and known by air and ground systems and can be instructed by voice.
• Full dynamicity, where alternative optimised arrival routes are dynamically suggested by AMAN on a per-flight basis in flight execution phase. At system level, both controllers and pilots require a set of air and ground tools for information-sharing functionalities (e.g. improvements of the cockpit and controller working position enabled by evolutions of the essential underlying system components: AMAN, ATC CWP, FMS).
Solution 0444 will target high-density/ complexity TMAs.
PJ.GALAAD Solution 0444 will aim at achieving TRL4 at the end of the project.
The initial maturity level for this Solution 0444 is TRL 2 taking into consideration the work performed in the S2020 Wave 1/Wave 2. The Solution 0444 follows up the outcomes coming from SESAR 2020 Wave1/Wave 2. Furthermore, the Solution will deliver one Data Pack.
Arrival Manager (AMAN) system with enhanced functionalities as needed, is expected to support ATCO for the dynamic assignment of the optimal and most eco-efficient PBN route structures, depending on metrics such as predicted arrival airborne delay.
The dynamic use of PBN route structures will allow trade-offs and optimisation of benefits depending on traffic demand (e.g. improved capacity during peak periods, fuel-efficient operations during off-peaks, reduced noise footprint at night) in the TMA.
• GALAAD Dynamicity in the execution phase of the flight is distinguished in Procedural dynamicity, where arrival routes are selected among a predefined set for given periods during the day according to predicted traffic demand, with a sufficient look-ahead time. In that case, the route options are published and known by air and ground systems and can be instructed by voice.
• Full dynamicity, where alternative optimised arrival routes are dynamically suggested by AMAN on a per-flight basis in flight execution phase. At system level, both controllers and pilots require a set of air and ground tools for information-sharing functionalities (e.g. improvements of the cockpit and controller working position enabled by evolutions of the essential underlying system components: AMAN, ATC CWP, FMS).
Solution 0444 will target high-density/ complexity TMAs.
PJ.GALAAD Solution 0444 will aim at achieving TRL4 at the end of the project.