FREQUENTIS and ENAV elevate airport efficiency and sustainability in Milan with Arrival Manager

Lorenzo Ghiradi, ENAV; Marco Bucci, ENAV; Thomas Guenter, Frequentis; Christian Accardo, ENAV; Frank Koehne, Frequentis Orthogon; © Frequentis

Italian Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) ENAV has announced the Frequentis AMAN has transformed approach flights within the Milan Area Control Centre, responsible for the airspace over north-west Italy. By dynamically calculating Estimated Landing Times (ELDT) and updating Target Landing Times (TLDT), this innovative system assists air traffic controllers in sequencing arrivals, reducing flight time, and promoting fuel conservation at Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, and Bergamo Orio al Serio airports. 

Estimated saving of 93 kilograms of CO₂ emissions per flight
The impact of AMAN's implementation is substantial, with ENAV estimating an average reduction of 30 seconds per flight arriving at Malpensa Airport, resulting in fuel savings of 30 kilograms, equivalent to approximately 93 kilograms of CO₂ emissions per flight.

The successful integration of AMAN at the ENAV Control Centre in Rome for Fiumicino Airport at the end of 2022 already showcased remarkable environmental benefits. Over 360,000 kilograms of fuel savings have been achieved, resulting in a reduction of approximately one million kilograms of CO₂ emissions. This reinforces the impactful strides made towards sustainability in aviation.

AMAN assists with optimised sequencing arrivals, reducing flight time and fuel usage
AMAN operates through expected flight path data and radar system updates, strategically planning the landing order of planes from around 180 miles (approximately 330 kilometres) from the runway. This sequence is continuously refined along the arrival route, optimising traffic flow and reducing environmental impact. Furthermore, considering operational needs, AMAN innovatively distributes flight delays to active sectors, where air traffic controllers are currently managing flights, supporting the handling of the delay and easing a controller’s workload.

"We are proud to be at the forefront of this monumental achievement. Frequentis remains committed to developing solutions that not only enhance air traffic management but also significantly contribute to a more sustainable aviation ecosystem," says Frank Köhne, Member of the Frequentis ATM Executive Board.

The collaborative effort between Frequentis and ENAV underscores a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability in the aviation sector.