New air traffic system in the National Airspace System

The current state of Air Traffic Management

The need for open skies and fuel factor has always triggered the need for the Air Traffic Management to complement on their operation especially after the occurrence of the ash plume, which paralyzed the European skies. This occurrence delayed most of the flights that were occurring between America and Europe consequently paralyzing many of the economic activities occurring between the contents. One of the major views considered by Europe is the need to unify the system of air traffic management (Clark, 2012). This is a step towards ensuring that there is no delay arising from the obstruction of planes by other planes from other countries. On the side of America, the FAA offers air traffic services to the world’s largest and busiest airspace across the globe. This is through the provision of adequate guidance for safe flights on a daily basis via the America’s National Airspace System to the destinations of the flights. According to Allen (2012), not all facilities belonging to FAA performs towards tracking the traffic. This means that there is a need for a new air traffic system to solve the various problems like traffic congestions.

The need for new air traffic system

Absence of open skies

There is need to reduce the traffic congestions occurring in the airports. This can only occur through ensuring the presence of open skies allowing for the smooth landing and taking off at the airports. The absence of open skies within Europe and America has led to the increased cost of operating the flights. The barriers, which do not allow for access of other markets, existing between the continents have led to unnecessary spending on long distance. Further, the absence of consolidation among the continents have also paused safety and security threats since there is no agreement among the government. This calls for a strategy that allows for the consolidation of the countries and a call for open skies.

Difficulty in managing arrivals

It is difficult for the authorities to manage arrivals across the national boundaries for the achievement of quality services. In addition, the United States, there is a great need for the systems to accommodate military needs and requirements. This complicates the management of the air traffic and space. According to Hughes (2006), there is also critical differentiation between United States and Europe in relation to the terms of scheduling of operations at relevant airports. Both Europe and the United Stated have established systems for the management of air traffic thus ensuring limited traffic flows for quality handling by controllers. This occurs in the process of maximizing the available space or capacity. Despite this establishment, the United States and Europe’s management systems in relation to air-traffic have evolved differently because of factors such as operational, geographical, and climatic conditions. Despite the fact that both entities adopt and implement similar management technology and operational concepts, United States operates under the management of only one service provider. This indicates that the United States’ centers apply similar automation systems and process for the management of the flow of air traffic. This is different to the concept of Europe, in which 38 service providers operate on their own systems consequently leading to the difficulty of managing the arrivals.

In the context of Europe, controlling of the leading airports is through evaluation of volume and concentration while considering strategic phase of the airport’s capacity declaration process. This is applicable months before the actual day of the operation. In the United States, there are minimal restrictions of the airline scheduling in most of the airports. This is because demand is under the control and management of the airlines in relation to the cost of delays of flights and operational cost (expected value of operating additional flights) without interference with the international allocation of the flights. Hughes (2006) also notes that the airport-capacity declaration process in Europe leads to the development of capacities closer to the instrument meteorological conditions. This is different to the context of the United States in which the main force in the development of the capacities is the visual meteorological conditions.

Influence of weather conditions

Unrestricted concept of the management in the United States results into the increase in the levels of throughput. It also contributes to the realization of higher level of variability in case of mismatch between the available capacity and the scheduled demand. Hughes (2006) notes that in the management of the air traffic in the context of the United States, there is severe influence or impact of the weather conditions or thunderstorms during the summer thus leading to the alteration of the flows of the air-traffic. Through this evaluation, it is essential to note the difference of the management of the air-traffic of the United States and Europe relating to the timing, restriction, number of service providers, and aspect of weather conditions in the realization of the goals and objectives of quality management of the air-traffic.

Influence of modern society

The modern society and economy creates pressure on the management of the air traffic in relation to the operations of the service providers across the globe. This indicates the need of urgent modifications or integration of technological advancements in the air traffic management in order to enhance the achievement of the goals and objectives (Price et al, 2011). This section of the literature review focuses on evaluation of the factors contributing to the great need for incorporation of technological advancements in the air traffic management across the globe thus enhancing the performance of the service providers. Modern economy is remarkably vibrant and continues to evolve thus the enormous need for the service of the air transportation. Air transportation system or mode is extremely fast thus effective and efficient for the realization of the goals of entities and individuals across the globe. There is also much safety and security in relation to travelling through air transportation mode. Airlines also have the ability to offer adequate transportation across large distances over a short period thus essential in the execution of business and agricultural related activities in the modern economy. These advantages and effectiveness of the air travel makes it an immense mode in the aspect of transportation, in the modern economy thus increases in the demand. In order to the curb and management the growing demand in relation to air travel, it is essential for organizations and service providers to incorporate technological advancements and automation (Price et al, 2011). This contributes to the great need of the incorporation of new developments to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency in the achievement of the goals and objectives of the service providers with the Air Traffic Management.

Increasing volume of traffic

Another aspect or factor constituting to the demand for incorporation of technological advancements in the concept of Air Traffic Management is the increase in the volume of traffic. According to Kelly (2010), increase in the population of the universe is one of the contributing factors towards this course. Another contributing factor to the increase in the volume of air traffic is the increase in the aspect of globalization and international trade. In order to maximize globalization opportunities, air travel is an essential factor thus the illustration of its application in the modern economy. Air Traffic Management should focus on the implementation of technological advancements in controlling and managing increase in the traffics thus effectiveness and efficiency in the provision of services. The organizations also need to incorporate automation processes to expand the capacities of the airports through integration of technological advancements thus quality handling of the increase in the air traffic (Kelly, 2010).

It is also essential to note that increase in the population of the world especially in Europe and the United States calls for incorporation of technological advancements in the Air Traffic Management. The first step towards the achievement of this goal or objective is addressing the issues of congested airways. The available capacities do not have the essential ability to handle the increased volumes of air traffic. This is because the increase in the volume of air traffic contributes to the exertion of pressure to the available capacity thus ineffectiveness and inefficiency in the services and products delivery to the consumer and other relevant stakeholders. Congested airways continue to pressurize the need for the integration of the technological advancements in relation to the Air Traffic Management (Lulli & Odoni, 2007).

Inability of facilities and structures

Inability of the current facilities, structures, and institutions in relation to the air traffic management also contributes to the growing need for the incorporation of technological advancements. Lulli & Odoni (2007), note that consumers rely on the quality of services depending on the effectiveness and efficiency thus the need for integration of technological advancements in meeting the needs and preferences of the customers. Integration of technological advancements will contribute towards the enhancement of service and product provisions in the air traffic management. This is through maximization of the capacity while minimizing the aspect of cost of provision of services and products to the relevant consumers. This is essential for the achievement of the goals and objectives of the service providers while meeting the needs and preferences of the consumers thus development of quality interaction and relationship within the market and industry. Adoption and application of the technological advancements will enable the organization to increase the volume of throughputs thus maximization of revenues and minimization of the cost of service provision to the consumers.

The embracement of technology by the modern society is also an indication of the need to incorporate technological developments in the Air Traffic Management. Technology plays a critical role in shaping the lives of individuals and business entities in the modern economy. This is through enhancement of effectiveness and efficiency in the service delivery to the consumers thus improvement in the growth and development levels of the economy. It is also essential for the organization to adopt the technological developments with the aim of enhancing their performance with reference to addressing the needs and preferences of the consumers. This is essential for the maximization of the profits and minimization of the cost of operations. Air Traffic Management has the opportunity to integrate various technological advancements into improving services and products to consumers (Kelly, 2010).

The modifications

Next Generation Air Transportation system

It is the acronym for Next Generation Air Transportation System. NextGen refers to the term illustrating the ongoing transformation in the context of the National Airspace System (NAS). It illustrates the evolution of the ground-based system in relation to control of the air traffic to a satellite-based system with reference to the management of the air traffic. The main reason for the integration or implementation of the NextGen technology is to enhance the performance of the air traffic management thus addressing deficiencies in the aspect of controlling air traffic in the United States and relevant destinations. According to Pop et al, (2012), this evolution is essential for the achievement of the goals and objectives in relation to meeting the future demand, avoidance of the gridlock in the sky, and national airports.

The evolution will also enable the United States to open its skies for improvement in growth and enhanced safety thus elimination of the environmental impact. This is through incorporation of technological developments such as the Global Positioning System for the purposes of weather forecasting, digital communications, and various data networking activities. The implementation of the transformation would also oversee the development of the new airport infrastructures and procedures in relation to decision-making criteria. This will operate towards enabling more flights on more direct routes with improved safety thus reduction in delays, minimization of carbon emissions, fuel consumption, and noise impacts leading to the achievement of quality management of the air traffic. Neyer & Yelinek (2011), note that NextGen will have a great impact in the air transportation system, in the United States upon its implementation and integration in the Air Traffic Management.

NextGen entails the incorporation of the modern technological advancements in the management of the Air Traffic Management in the context of the United States (Moorman, 2012). This transformation of the ground-based management will focus on the application of the satellite-based components in the management of the Air Traffic. This will focus on the improvement of the service provision thus enabling the service providers to maximize the available space while minimizing the cost of execution of the expectations to the relevant stakeholders. In relation to the implementation of the NextGen components, FAA makes the following predictions as fruitful outcome of the new technology by 2012. The program will contribute towards the realization of approximately 35 percent reduction in delays because of the improvements in the Air Traffic Management (Lyons et al, 2012).

SESAR

SESAR represents one of research and development programs in the context of the Europe in the management of the air traffic (SESAR, 2009). The program was formerly known as SESAME. It refers to the European air-control infrastructure aiming to modernize air traffic management. The aim of this project is to develop a new generation Air Traffic Management systems with the ability to ensure safety and efficiency in the air transportation across the globe in the next 30 years. This is to enhance the performance of the Air Traffic Management in Europe thus maximization of the available facilities while minimizing the cost of execution of obligations and expectations. The project is applicable in three critical phases: definition phase (2004-2008), development phase (2008-2013), and deployment phase (2014-2020). In the definition phase, the program delivered the Air Traffic Management master plan with the definition of the content, development and deployment concepts (Pouzet & Fistas, 2008). The definition phase was under the influence of the Eurocontrol and European commission through relevant funding mechanisms.

The development phase is essential for the generation of the technological advancements in the achievement of the goals and objectives of the project. The second phase focuses on the implementation of a joint undertaking with integration of the GALILEO model thus management of the project. The deployment phase of the project will focus on the construction of new infrastructures for maximization of the capacity of European service providers and relevant partners. This will be under the influence of the public funding system thus enabling the project to achieve its goals and obligations. Upon it implementation, the program will be a revelation to the Air Traffic Management in Europe and relevant partners in relation to the enhancement of services to consumers (Pouzet & Fistas, 2008). The service providers will meet the need and preferences of the consumers thus an opportunity to limit environmental impacts, maximize available capacity, and minimize the cost of provision of the essential services to consumers.

SESAR project, on the other hand, focuses on the implementation of the transformation to the Air Traffic Management in Europe in the context of three critical phases (Schofield, 2009). These include definition, development, and deployment phases. The main aim of the project is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency in the maximization of the space while minimizing the cost of service provision. This is essential for improvement in the services towards addressing the needs and preferences of consumers and relevant stakeholders in the airline industry and markets. This is through eliminating the delays, airway congestions, and environmental impacts. This is essential for improvement of the services of the air traffic management thus achievement of the goals and objectives in the realization of the needs and preferences of the consumers (Bisantz et al, 2011).

SWIM

In the implementation of the new technological advancements, there will be effective management of information through the concept of SWIM (System Wide Information Management). This is through the elaboration of the how information will be managed in the Air Traffic Management. SWIM will ensure that information or data is achievable and transmitted to the right people at the right time. SWIM has the opportunity to obtain information from various components of Air Traffic Management. This is through integration of the concept of SWIM in data domains, planning, and execution of services in the management of air traffics especially in the context of Europe. The information will be vital for the achievement of the goals and objectives. This is through enhancement of services and delivery of the pilots, operation centers, and navigation institutions (Esler, 2009). Availability, integrity, and storage of information will be beneficial in the execution of activities contributing to the effective and efficient management of the air traffic.

Quality protection of the environment

Air Traffic Management should focus on the achievement of quality protection of the environment thus enhancing the safety and health security of the current and future generations. This is through minimization of the wastes into the environment thus affecting the growth and development of plant, animals, and humanity. One of the benefits of the incorporation of technological advancements in the management of air traffic is the development of environment friendly flights. This is through incorporation of systems enabling the service providers to reduce the carbon dioxide emission to the environment. According to Dillingham (2012), this will contribute towards minimization of negative impacts towards the environment thus improvement of health conditions and security in relation to the modern and future generations.

Benefits of the modification

Ensuring there are open skies

According to evaluation by Dillingham (2011), technological advancements will contribute towards the minimization of cases of delays thus saving time for the travelers. This is one of the influences of efficiency in the application of the technological advancements on the context of Air Traffic Management. NextGen and SESAR project operate towards the achievement of the goals and objectives of effective management of the air traffic. This indicates the need to achieve adequate reduction in the delays thus saving time for the maximization of revenues and minimization of the cost of provision of the relevant services to consumers and other stakeholders.

Efficiency of the technological advancements is one of the critical reasons behind the elimination of congestion of the airways. This is essential in the creation of more room for other flights thus maximization of the available space or capacity. Implementation of the technological advancements will enable service providers to increase the number of flights through minimization of hurdles limiting the achievement of goals and objectives of various airlines. Incorporation of the technological advancements such as the NextGen and SESAR project will also enhance the operation of the aviation services. Especially in the United States, the aviation services will have the ability to share the airspace with commercial entities thus increase in the volume of profits and revenues. According to Chiappe et al, (2012), this is another benefit of efficiency thus limiting congestion of the airways and providing room for other flights.

Another vital benefit for the integration and incorporation of the systems of NextGen and SESAR project in the context of the United States and Europe is efficiency in the flights. Efficient flights contribute in the maximization of the available space while minimizing the cost of operating or providing services to consumers and other relevant stakeholders within the industry and market of operation. It is also vital for the service providers to achieve automation or efficiency in the management of the air traffic because of the increase in the cases of demand for the air travel (Brooker, 2010). Efficiency will also enable the service providers to minimize congestions in the airways thus increasing the number of flights thus increase in the level of throughput or revenues at the end of the financial year. Efficiency is also elementary in the realization of the goals and objectives of the organization through meeting the needs and preferences of the consumers. This indicates the adoption and achievement of competitive advantage in the execution of services, functions, and expectations in the United States and across Europe. Implementation of NextGen and SESAR project will be vital for the achievement of the needed efficiency in the Air Traffic Management.

Quality relationship with consumers and shareholders

Moderation of the flights will depend on the capabilities thus effectiveness in the management of the air traffic in the context of the United States and Europe. This is essential for the achievement of the goals and objectives of the service providers in the management of air traffic in the context of the United States and Europe. Through aspects of ADS-B, RNAV, and LPV, Air Traffic Management will focus in the integration of the concept of automation to track, navigate, and control activities towards the achievement of the goals and objectives of the service providers. This will be essential in the development of the quality relationship with consumers and other shareholders within the industry of operation (Croft, 2012).

Reduction in delays and environmental impacts

Air Traffic Management will experience benefits such as reduced delays, reduction in the negative environmental impact, efficient flights, minimization in airway congestion, and quality utilization of the information. This will contribute to the maximization of the available capacity while minimizing the cost of provision of the relevant services. Efficiency will contribute towards elimination of congestion in the airways thus creating more room for flights. This is essential in the increase in the levels of profits and revenues thus financial benefits to the service providers. Consumers will also benefit from the essence of effectiveness and efficiency of technology through minimized cost of provision of services in relation to the management of air traffic (Strybel et al, 2013).

Improvement in generation of revenues

There will also be improvements in the generation of revenues and profits by service providers. The organization projects about $ 23 billion as cumulative benefits for the aircraft operators, travelling public, and FAA in the management of the air traffic. The organization also projects about 1.4 billion gallons in relation to savings of the fuel following the implementation of the concepts of NextGen. There is also minimization of the environmental impacts through reduction of the levels of carbon dioxide emitted during the period of implementation of NextGen systems. This is through realization of about 14 million tons in reduction of the carbon dioxide emissions (Lyons et al, 2012).

Economic and environmental benefits

Economic and environmental benefits will contribute to the realization of the goals and objectives of societal welfare. This is essential for the improvement of interactions between the service providers and consumers thus enhancing the image of Air Traffic Management in the context of the United States and Europe. Reduced cost of travelling and efficiency will be beneficial to the consumers thus opportunity for the maximization of the societal welfare in the modern economy. Environmental benefits will relate to the reduction of the levels of carbon dioxide emissions into the sky. This is essential for the enhancement of health safety and security for the current and future generations.

Complementing on the FAA operations

The modifications will also help in complementing on the actions of FAA. The moderations will enhance the response to the clients’ needs through the provision of the national focal point to facilitate the aspect of inspection of the flights. These modifications focus on the improvement of the management of the air traffic as it is the vision of FAA. Flight Inspection Liaison office also contributes to the development of a strong partnership between the service providers and relevant consumers through implementation of various inclusive decision-making approaches (Bahrami, 2011). Further, the modifications will also focus on the provision of advisory and technical services and information to the federal agencies, clients, internal and international air-traffic service providers (Bahrami, 2011). This is through acting as the focal point for the international air-traffic flow management in relation to the promotion of activities for development of interactions between service providers and consumers. The moderation will also ensure that the institution operates on a 24-hour basis in the collection, tracking and relaying information or data from the field organizations for service interruptions, disasters, and festive events. This is through critical and constant monitoring of the events as they evolve thus enabling the organization to relay effective and sufficient information in relation to the event. The institution is essential for interaction with the technicians of FAA for the maintenance of NAS (Rules and Regulations, 2012).

SESAR JU and FAA have the ability to function or execute their expectations or obligations in the management of air traffic by developing and ironing commonalities in relation to the aspect of SWIM (Hughes, 2006). This is through identification of the difference and similarities between the two approaches in enhancing the management of air traffic in the United States and Europe. The organizations must iron the similarities between NextGen and SESAR to identify compatibility towards the achievement of the goals and objectives of effective management of the air traffic (Toure, 2012). In order to enhance the performance of the service providers and other elements of human capital, the moderations will focus on the execution of training and development programs through the Institute of Air Navigation Services. The moderations will also help in promoting safety and standardization of services to consumers and relevant clients. This is through integration of the safety regulatory requirement for the certification purposes thus enhancing the image and reputation of the service providers within the industry of operation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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