Can a holistic optimization improve SESAR Key Performance Areas

There is a need to cope with the expected growth in air traffic while simultaneously meeting demands for increased safety, predictability, and efficiency in air traffic management (ATM) systems. This paper explores the potential effects of a holistic optimization approach on performance of air traffic management systems. We developed and evaluated a tool for optimizing the decision-making process of airport ATM based on holistic optimization, i.e., optimization where each decision is based on all possible airplane movements at the airport. This paper describes the results of a case study investigating the usefulness of this optimization approach. Our results indicate that active operational use of holistic decisions based on optimization tools might reduce taxi time and improve punctuality. Such tools can improve decision making in air traffic control (ATC) towers and contribute to the improvement of the overall ATC process.