Advancing a more integrated and predictable network
This final exercise highlights the strong commitment of all partners to advancing technologically innovative solutions that support the evolution of TBO.
By enhancing network-wide coordination and leveraging modern technologies, the project contributes to building a more integrated, efficient, and resilient European air traffic network.
Foundations from earlier phases
Earlier phases of the exercise successfully demonstrated the exchange of OLDI (On-Line Data Interchange) coordination and transfer information between BULATSA and ROMATSA using the SWIM Yellow Profile.
At the same time, the agreed messages were seamlessly published to the Network Manager Validation Platform (NMVP), also via the SWIM Yellow Profile, ensuring consistent data sharing across systems.
Enhancing trajectory predictability
The main achievement of the final phase for Network Manager systems was the enhancement of NMVP flight trajectories through the integration of OLDI data received via NM B2B services.
This improvement - designed, developed and tested by EUROCONTROL - resulted in increased predictability of aircraft trajectories during coordination and transfer phases between Air Traffic Service Units. Specifically, accuracy improved in terms of position, flight level and timing at boundary points.
With the Network Manager now able to receive OLDI messages exchanged between European ATS units, the Network Manager 4D trajectory (NM 4DT) can be continuously updated. This enables a more precise understanding of aircraft movements and supports better traffic flow optimisation, ultimately more efficient operations.
Modernising communication technologies
This final exercise highlights the strong commitment of all partners to advancing technologically innovative solutions that support the evolution of TBO.
By enhancing network-wide coordination and leveraging modern technologies, the project contributes to building a more integrated, efficient, and resilient European air traffic network.
Key achievements of the final phase
- Technological innovation: Introduction of advanced methods for exchanging OLDI coordination and transfer messages between participating Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs).
- Performance validation: Demonstrated that response times of OLDI over SWIM remained within acceptable limits and showed no degradation compared to legacy FMTP communication. Further offline analysis will provide quantitative validation.
- Realistic validation environment: Although conducted in shadow mode without active controller intervention, operational realism was ensured. Controllers from BULATSA and ROMATSA monitored live frequencies and manually introduced instructions into the test environment.
- Seamless data sharing: Successful publication of OLDI messages to the NMVP via Leonardo’s SWIM Yellow Profile Connector Dispatcher (OSCD).
- Improved trajectory synchronisation: Demonstrated how better alignment of local and network trajectories enhances 4D trajectory prediction (covering position, altitude and time), supporting more efficient airspace operations.
Next steps
The SESAR 3 Network TBO Project (Solution 3) will now deliver its final Validation Report, confirming that the concept has reached Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6) and is ready for further industrialisation and deployment across Europe.
The integration of OLDI messages via SWIM Yellow Profile into Network Manager systems aligns with the medium-term strategy outlined in the Network 4DT CONOPS, approved by the Network Manager Board in summer 2023.
