A User-Driven Prioritisation Process implementation and optimisation for ATFM hotspot resolution

The current and forecast air traffic levels lead to demand-capacity imbalances, which are dealt with by delaying flights through the allocation of air traffic flow management (ATFM) slots. To mitigate the delay impact on airspace users (AUs) and passengers, User Driven Prioritisation Process (UDPP) solutions are under development, with the goal to enhance flexibility for airlines to prioritise their own flights in the ATFM regulations. UDPP solutions are developed in collaboration with AUs, achieving high maturity level and even operational use at some airports. While UDPP solutions in reality are still based on manual or semi-automated procedures, in this paper we show that when an airline has an accurate delay cost model at disposal, the prioritisation process can be fully automated via an integer programming model that provides the prioritisation that optimises the AUs’ UDPP exploitation. We use this automated process and the implementation of the UDPP mechanism to provide an estimation of the benefits of UDPP in terms of cost with respect to the current ATFM regulation process. • Air traffic demand-capacity imbalances cause delays managed by ATFM slots. • UDPP solutions help airlines prioritise their flights within ATFM regulations. • UDPP solutions are developed with airlines and are used operationally at some airports. • The prioritisation process can be fully automated using an integer programming model.