Air Traffic Flow Management

Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) is a service established to optimize traffic flow by regulating the rate at which aircraft enter specific airspace sectors or arrive at congested airports. The goal is to ensure that demand does not exceed the capacity of ATC systems or airport infrastructure.

ATFM measures include:

• Ground Delay Programs (GDP): Aircraft are held on the ground at departure airports to manage arrival rates
• Airspace Flow Programs (AFP): Traffic is rerouted around congested sectors
• Miles-in-Trail (MIT): Minimum spacing requirements between successive aircraft
• CTOT (Calculated Takeoff Time): A specific departure slot assigned to each flight

In Europe, ATFM is managed by Eurocontrol's Network Manager. In the United States, the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) coordinates flow management nationwide.