At the 31st Annual Conference SC 1 presented WP No 76. In this WP SC 1 reviewed sector capacity measurement methods and committee B accepted two additions to the existing policy on ATFM :

a) Capacity values should be established for all sectors;

b) Operational controllers should always be involved in determining capacity values.

After discussion in committee B on this subject it was decided that SC 1 should continue to monitor the developments in ATFM and investigate a common set of factors to be used in capacity measurement methods.

There is no, new and/or relevant , information available on developments in ATFM at this time, nor has SC 1 been advised by MA’s about local or regional development of importance. The European ATFM situation however has been causing great concern in 1992. The growth of traffic, and the subsequent growth of ATFM measures (more than 50 flow restriction measures every day during summer 92) to protect ATC from overload situations has in May 1992 lead to ‘virtual collapse of the ATC/ATFM machinery’. The conclusion can only be that 1992 has been a very difficult year for ATC/ATFM in Europe and there is serious doubt whether the present CFMU (Central Flow Management Unit ) development is able to cope with the traffic growth trend and protect ATC from overload situations. Both EVP EUR and the IFATCA representative to the ATS/ATFM co-ordination meetings in Europe are well aware of this and are monitoring the European ATFM situation carefully.

During the study for a common set of factors it became clear that the wording of the policy “Capacity values should be established for all sectors” does not adequately cover all the working positions in the ATC system.

As the capacity of the whole ATC system will be determined by the weakest link in the chain, it is necessary to know the capacity of each area of responsibility of an individual controller or team of controllers. Therefore it is necessary to establish capacity values for each sector, terminal Control Unit, or Aerodrome Control Tower.

To conclude

No news from AM’s on the item of ATFM. The difficult European ATC/ATFM is carefully being monitored by the EVP EUR together with IFATCA’s representative to the European Informal ATS/ATFM Co-ordination meetings. SC 1 cannot really contribute directly in that region. The current IFATCA policy on ATFM stating “ Capacity values should be established for all sectors” should be amended to cover all ATC positions in the ATC system, i.e. Area Control, terminal Control and Aerodrome Control.

It is recommended to :

Amend the existing IFATCA policy on ATFM technical policy on ATFM regarding values to read:

“Capacity values should be established for all ATC sectors, including Terminal Control Areas and Aerodrome Positions.”