Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management (ATFCM)

Air traffic flow and capacity management (ATFCM) at EUROCONTROL optimises air traffic controllers’ ability to handle the planned and existing traffic to underpin safety and efficiency.

ATFCM covers the management of network systems infrastructure and the monitoring of the overall network operations. A core function of ATFCM is to keep the Network Operations Plan constantly updated so that there is a clear understanding throughout the ATM network of what is planned and currently taking place.

The three ATFCM phases

ATFCM is split into three main phases:

• The strategic phase: matches the long-term demand for flights with the air traffic control (ATC) capacity required to handle it.
• The pre-tactical phase: balances the flights which are due to take place on the next day with the available ATC capacity.
• The tactical phase: manages current flights with the existing ATC availability and takes corrective actions to deal with situations and crises as they arise.