Viet Nam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) announced on Monday that it had conducted operational trials of the Distributed Multi-Nodal ATFM Operational Trail between Viet Nam and Singapore.

The programme was set up to test the weekly scenario, applicable to Vietnam Airlines flights that depart from Noi Bai International Airport to Singapore's Changi Airport.

The air traffic will be managed based on a common principle among participants. Accordingly, the VATM, Airports Corporation of Viet Nam, Changi Airport and Vietnam Airlines will focus on balancing the air traffic demand-capacity by regulating the flight arrivals at the departure airport with the issuance of calculated take-off time (CTOT).

“In simpler terms, the participants will check the CTOT, so that when the flight takes off, it can land on time, and does not have to hover in the air waiting for a landing slot,” a top official from the VATM said.

The delay will take place on the ground, not in the air, he said. This will interest all participants, who could focus on enhancing the capacity, flying safety, cutting the exploitation costs, decreasing carbon dioxide emissions and reducing the volume of work for both the pilots and the air traffic staff.

Once the operational trial is successful, the VATM will review its efficiency. If it is found to be efficient, the corporation will declare the next itinerary as per the Airports Corporation of Viet Nam. — VNS