The point merge route structure provides a more efficient way to vector aircraft down to the final approach path. It allows departure and arrival streams to operate independently without risk of conflict, and delivers more predictable arrival times. The concept is simple. By designing standard sequencing legs ahead of the final
approach point, aircraft can be guided along shorter or longer distances in order to reach a single entry point. For a busy terminal area controllers can start to sequence
arrivals at an earlier stage, while pilots receive fewer interventions so can fly a more efficient approach path down to the runway.
This solution is implemented in Germany, Hungary and Ireland and planned in Italy, Latvia and Portugal.
Aircraft engines have become quieter but an aircraft’s flight path can also help reduce noise levels by following a smooth descent down to the runway threshold rather than a conventional stepped approach. Up until now, these continuous descent operations (CDOs) have been restricted to low and medium traffic density environments due to their impact on airport capacity. By combining it with point merge techniques, SESAR has extended the solution so it can be applied to high-density traffic environments at a lower altitude and in a small and very constrained airspace.
This solution is implemented in Austria, Germany, France, Hungary and Ireland and planned in Italy, Lithuania, Latvia and Portugal.
Extended-AMAN (E-AMAN) allows for the sequencing of arrival traffic much earlier than is currently the case, by extending the AMAN horizon from the airspace close to the airport to further upstream and so allowing more smooth traffic management. Controllers in the upstream sectors, which may be in a different control centre or even a different functional airspace block (FAB), obtain system advisories to support an earlier pre-sequencing of aircraft. Controllers implement those advisories by, for example, instructing pilots to adjust the aircraft speed along the descent or even before top-of-descent, thus reducing the need for holding and decreasing fuel consumption.
