Integrating Extended Arrival Management and Network Management for Demand and Capacity Balancing with User Preferences

Aiming at a more integrated and synchronised demand and capacity balancing (DCB), this paper proposes a framework that combines the User Driven Prioritisation Process (UDPP), system-wide optimization, and extended arrival manage- ment (E-AMAN). In this approach, airspace users (AUs) provide operational preferences, including flight protection, suspension, baseline keeping, or rerouting, which are incorporated into a cen- tralized DCB optimization conducted by the Network Manager (NM). Linear holding bounds, derived from airline trajectory performance, are introduced as flexible delay-absorption mea- sures alongside ground and limited airborne holding. Building on this, the E-AMAN model refines sequencing in the terminal-entry area by integrating both linear and airborne holding, enhancing predictability and fairness in arrival operations. The framework aims to minimize system cost while accommodating user preferences and reducing environmental impact. Numerical experiments with large-scale European traffic data demonstrate that the proposed framework substantially reduces delay and op- erational costs while improving equity among airlines. Moreover, the use of linear holding adds flexibility in handling uncertainty without additional fuel burn. These findings highlight a promising balance between efficiency, equity, and sustainability in future trajectory-based air traffic management (ATM).