ENR 1.9 AIR TRAFFIC FLOW MANAGEMENT (ATFM)

1 AIR TRAFFIC FLOW MANAGEMENT (ATFM)

1.1 ATFM is a service established with the objective to assist air traffic services to be delivered in a safe, orderly and efficient manner by regulating air traffic flow to match the prevailing capacity at a given airport or airspace. ATFM provides indication of the predicted airborne delay and allows airspace user (AU) to determine the delay intent for the predicted amount of airborne delay to be absorbed in different phases of the flight. This enables airspace operators (AOs) and AUs to have better predictability of traffic flow and allow airlines to plan their connecting flight schedule accordingly. ATFM measure such as Ground Delay Programme (GDP), Minimum Departure Interval (MDI) and Miles-in-Trail (MIT) are some of the methods to achieve the objectives of ATFM as defined in ICAO’s Manual on Collaborative ATFM (DOC 9971).
1.2 For Singapore FIR, ATFM services are provided by Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) from the Singapore ATFM Unit (ATFMU). The services comprise the planning and implementation of ATFM measures to balance demand and capacity and the conduct of post operation analysis of the compliance to the ATFM measures. ATFM measures implemented by Singapore and other arrival ATFMU will be coordinated with AUs and AOs through CDM processes and agreed operating procedure.

2 DAILY ATFM OPERATIONS FOR FLIGHTS ARRIVING AT SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT

2.1 ATFM operations will be carried out on a 24-hour basis. Where necessary, ATFM measures will be applied for flights scheduled to arrive at Singapore Changi Airport (WSSS).
2.2 Flights departing from the following airports may be subjected to ATFM measures:
ANSPAirport
CambodiaVDPP
ChinaZGGG, ZGSZ, ZJHK, ZJSY
Hong KongVHHH, VMMC
IndonesiaWIII, WADD, WARR
MalaysiaWBGG, WBGR, WBKK, WMKC, WMKI, WMKJ, WMKK, WMKP, WMSA
MyanmarVYMD, VYNT, VYYY
PhilippinesRPLL
ThailandVTBS, VTSP, VTBD, VTCC, VTCT, VTSB, VTSG, VTSM, VTSP, VTSS, VTUD
2.3 When ATFM measures are applied, flights departing from the airports listed in paragraph 2.2 planning to arrive into Singapore Changi Airport shall adhere to their assigned Calculated Take-Off Times (CTOTs). The compliance to CTOT is important to ensure success in reducing the airborne holding.
2.4 All airspace users planning to arrive into WSSS should:
  1. file and submit FPLs at least 3 hours before the Estimated Off Block Time (EOBT);
  2. transmit the appropriate ATS messages (CHG / DLA) when the EOBT changes by more than 15 minutes; and
  3. transmit CNL message if the flight is cancelled after the submission of FPL.
2.5 FPLs and ATS messages should be addressed to WSJCZQZX.
2.6 Singapore ATFM Unit will provide ATFM helpdesk to answer operational queries from airspace users. The contact details are as follows:

Singapore ATFM Unit
Email: CAAS_ATFMU@caas.gov.sg
Phone: (065) 6422 7001
Web Conference Helpdesk link: https://wemeet.adobeconnect.com/caasatfm

3 BAY OF BENGAL COOPERATIVE ATFM (BOBCAT)

3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.1.1 The States of the ICAO Asia/Pacific Region within the Bay of Bengal, South Asia and Pakistan airspace have implemented an automated Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) service under the auspices of the ICAO Bay of Bengal ATS Coordination Group - ATFM Task Force.
3.2 PROVISION OF ATFM SERVICES
3.2.1 ATFM services are provided by Aeronautical Radio of Thailand LTD (AEROTHAI) from the Bangkok Air Traffic Flow Management Unit (ATFMU) at Bangkok ACC. ATFM services will be limited to calculation, promulgation and management of mandatory Calculated Take-Off Time (CTOT) and Kabul FIR flight level, ATS route and entry fix time, Calculated Time-Over (CTO) for each affected flight.
3.2.2 Singapore ATC retains responsibility for the tactical management of flights that are subject to ATFM. In discharging tactical responsibilities, Singapore ATC will manage non-ATFM compliant flights using delayed pushback and start clearances, non-preferred routes and/or flight levels, enroute holding and/or diversion around Kabul FIR.
3.2.3 The ATFMU utilises the automated web based Bay of Bengal Cooperative ATFM System (BOBCAT) system in meeting its ATFM responsibilities. These responsibilities will be managed in coordination with aircraft operators and Singapore ATC in the Singapore FIR.
3.2.4 The ATFMU operates on a 24-hour basis and is responsible for westbound flights entering the Kabul FIR at specified times, flight levels and ATS routes in accordance with paragraph 2.3. The objectives of these ATFM services are to:

  1. reduce ground and en-route delays;
  2. maximise capacity and optimize the flow of air traffic through Kabul FIR;
  3. provide an informed choice of routing and flight level selection;
  4. alleviate unplanned in-flight re-routing and technical stops; and
  5. assist regional Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) in planning for and managing future workload in the light of forecast increased traffic flows through Kabul FIR.

3.3 ATFM AFFECTED ATS ROUTES, FLIGHT LEVELS AND APPLICABLE HOURS
3.3.1 All westbound flights intending to enter Kabul FIR between 2000UTC and 2359UTC daily on ATS routes and flight levels specified in the Table below shall comply with the BOBCAT ATFM procedure. This includes a mandatory requirement to obtain ATFM slot allocation - CTOT, CTO at Kabul FIR entry waypoint, allocated flight level and allocated ATS route from Bangkok ATFMU for entry into Kabul FIR.

Routing through the Kabul FIRMetering WaypointFlight Level
L509 - M875LAJAKFL300, FL320, FL340, FL360, FL380, FL400
M875SITAXFL280
N644PAVLOFL280, FL300, FL320, FL340, FL360, FL380, FL400
L750ROSIEFL280, FL300, FL320, FL340, FL360, FL380, FL400
P628ASLUMFL320, FL340, FL360, FL380, FL400
N636 - P628SERKAFL280, FL300
3.3.2 Flights that plan to enter Kabul FIR without an ATFM slot allocation will be accommodated only after flights with slots have been processed. Such flights should expect delayed pushback and start clearances, non- preferred routes and/or flight levels, enroute holding and/or diversion around Kabul FIR.
3.3.3 In order to ensure availability of slots for westbound departures from designated airports in northern India and Pakistan, departures from these airports are given priority for FL280 in the slot allocation. This does not preclude these flights from requesting higher flight levels with initial slot request.
3.3.4 The following flights are exempted from the ATFM procedures:

  1. Flights experiencing an emergency, including aircraft subjected to unlawful interference;
  2. Flights on search and rescue or firefighting missions;
  3. Urgent medical evacuation flights or humanitarian flights specifically declared by State medical authorities that flight delays would put the life of patients aboard at risk; and
  4. Flights with “Head of State” status.

Note: After medical flights have completed their mission, they should be subjected to ATFM measures. Scheduled passenger transfer flights are, by their nature, non-urgent and should not be given priority under normal operational situation.

3.3.5 Flights exempted from ATFM procedures shall indicate the exemption in their flight plan as follows: (Field 18 - ATFM EXMP).
3.3.6 Singapore AIS shall forward the flight plan information to Bangkok ATFMU at AFTN address VTBBZDZX.
3.4 MANDATORY CTOT AND KABUL FIR SLOT ALLOCATION
3.4.1 Affected flights shall obtain the mandatory Kabul FIR slot allocation - CTOT, CTO at Kabul FIR entry waypoint, allocated flight level and allocated ATS route from the BOBCAT system. The CTOT and Kabul slot allocation will enable ANSPs to tactically control westbound flights transiting the Kabul FIR at specified times by assigning minimum spacing requirements at established gateway fix points in the vicinity of the eastern boundary of the Kabul FIR.
3.4.2 The application, calculation and distribution of CTOT and Kabul FIR entry waypoint slot allocations will be managed via internet access to the BOBCAT system in accordance with the ATFM operating procedures in paragraph 2.5.
3.5 BOBCAT OPERATING PROCEDURES
3.5.1 All affected flights are required to submit their slot requests to the BOBCAT system by logging onto https://www.bobcat.aero between 0100UTC and 1159UTC on the day of flight and completing the electronic templates provided.
3.5.2 Affected aircraft operators who do not have dedicated BOBCAT username / password access should complete the application form provided and fax it to the ATFMU as soon as possible.
3.6 SLOT ALLOCATION PROCESS
3.6.1 The slot allocation process is divided into 3 phases, namely the slot request submission, initial slot allocation and finally the slot distribution to aircraft operators and ANSPs.

Slot Request Submission

3.6.2 Slot requests including preferred ATS route, flight level and Maximum Acceptable Delay (MAD) should be lodged between 0001UTC and 1159UTC on the day of flight. Slot requests may subsequently be amended prior 1200UTC, which is the cut-off time. Aircraft operators are encouraged to submit additional slot request options in case their first choice is not available. This may include variations to ATS route, flight level and MAD.
3.6.3 Slot requests shall be for flight parameters that are able to be met by the flight. For example, flights requesting a slot at FL390 must be able to transit Kabul FIR at FL390. Flights subsequently unable to meet the slot parameters (flight level, ATS route or CTO at entry waypoint) should expect non-preferred routes and / or flight levels, enroute holding and / or diversion around Kabul FIR.
3.6.4 As BOBCAT will allocate FL280 on a priority basis to facilitate departures from northern India and Pakistan underneath overflying traffic, flights departing these points are encouraged to include FL280 as at least one slot request preference.
3.6.5 Flights that were not allocated a slot in the initial slot allocation, are not satisfied with the allocated slot or did not submit a slot request should select slots from the listing of remaining unallocated slots available immediately after slot distribution has been completed.

Slot Allocation and Distribution

3.6.6 Slot allocation will commence at the cut-off time at 1200UTC. BOBCAT will process and generate the slot allocation based on the information submitted in the slot requests. Notification of slot allocation will be made not later than 1230UTC via the ATFMU website. Alternative arrangements for notification of slot distribution (e.g. e-mail, fax, telephone) should be coordinated with the ATFMU.
3.6.7 After the slot allocation has been published at https://www.bobcat.aero, aircraft operators can:

  1. use the slot allocation result for ATS flight planning purposes;

  2. cancel the allocated slot; and / or

  3. change slot allocation to another available slot in the published list of unallocated slots.

3.6.8 Singapore ATC and AIS can also view the slot allocation results at https://www.bobcat.aero.
3.7 SUBMISSION OF ATS FLIGHT PLAN
3.7.1 Once aircraft operators are in receipt of the slot allocation, they shall submit the ATS flight plan using the time, ATS route and flight level parameters of the BOBCAT allocated slot.
3.7.2 In addition to the normal addressees, Singapore AIS will also address the flight plan (FPL) and related ATS messages (e.g. DLA, CNL, CHG) to the ATFMU via AFTN address VTBBZDZX for all flights that have submitted a slot request.
3.8 AIRCRAFT OPERATOR / PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND ANSP RESPONSIBILITIES

Aircraft Operator / Pilot-in-Command

3.8.1 In accordance with ICAO PANS-ATM provisions, it is the responsibility of the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) and the aircraft operator to ensure that the aircraft is ready to taxi in time to meet any required departure time. PIC shall be kept informed by their aircraft operators of the CTOT, CTO at Kabul FIR entry waypoint and flight parameters (route / level) allocated by BOBCAT.
3.8.2 The PIC, in collaboration with ATC, shall arrange take-off as close as possible to the CTOT in order to meet the allocated CTO at Kabul FIR entry waypoint.

ANSPs

3.8.3 In accordance with ICAO PANS-ATM provisions, flights with an ATFM slot allocation should be given priority for take-off to facilitate compliance with the CTOT.
3.8.4 CTOT shall be included as part of the initial ATC clearance. In collaboration with PIC, Singapore ATC shall ensure that every opportunity and assistance is granted to a flight to meet the CTOT and allocated CTO at Kabul FIR entry waypoint.
3.9 COORDINATION BETWEEN AIRCRAFT OPERATOR / PILOT-IN-COMMAND, ANSPs AND BANGKOK ATFMU
3.9.1 The PIC shall include the CTOT in the initial ATC clearance request.
3.9.2 PIC shall adjust cruise flight to comply with slot parameters at the Kabul FIR entry waypoint, requesting appropriate ATC clearances including speed variations in accordance with the published AIP requirements.
3.9.3 Prior to departure, in circumstances where it becomes obvious that the allocated Kabul FIR entry waypoint slot parameters will not be met, a new slot allocation should be obtained as soon as possible and via the most expeditious means (e.g. via coordination between flight dispatcher, PIC, Singapore ATC and Bangkok ATFMU). Early advice that the Kabul FIR slot parameters will be missed also enables the slots so vacated to be efficiently reassigned to other flights.
3.9.4 Prior to departure and after the aircraft has left the gate, in the event that the aircraft is unable to meet the Kabul FIR entry waypoint slot parameters, when requested by the PIC, Singapore ATC shall assist the PIC to coordinate with the ATFMU for a revised slot allocation.
3.9.5 The ATFMU (VTBBZDZX) shall be included in the list of AFTN addressees for NOTAMs regarding any planned activities that may affect slot availability (e.g. reservation of airspace / closure of airspace, non- availability of routes, etc.).
3.9.6 The ATFMU (VTBBZDZX) shall be included in the list of AFTN addressees for ATS messages (e.g. FPL, DEP, DLA, CHG, CNL) relating to flights subject to ATFM procedures.
3.9.7 A missed slot results in dramatically increased coordination workload for ATC and PIC and should be avoided. To minimise coordination workload in obtaining a revised slot allocation, the following procedures are recommended:

  1. If the flight is still at the gate, coordination should take place via aircraft operators / flight dispatchers to ATFMU;

  2. If the flight has left the gate, coordination to ATFMU may also take place via the ATS unit presently communicating with the flight.

3.10 BASIC COMPUTER REQUIREMENT

3.10.1 Aircraft operators and Singapore ATC are required to have computer equipment capable of connecting to the BOBCAT website https://www.bobcat.aero via the internet and satisfying the following minimum technical requirements:

  1. A personal computer of any operating system with the following characteristics:

    1. Processor: minimum CPU clock speed of 150MHz;

    2. Operating System: any that operates one of the following web browsers (i.e. Windows 2000 / XP, Linux, Unix, or Mac OS);

    3. Web Browser: Internet Explorer 5.5 or newer, Mozilla 1.0 or newer, Mozilla Firefox 1.0 or newer, Netscape 7 or newer;

    4. RAM: 64MB or larger (depending on operating system);

    5. Hard Disk Space: minimum of 500MB or larger (depending on operating system);

    6. Monitor Display Resolution: minimum of 800 x 600 pixels; and

    7. Internet Connection: 56Kbps modem or faster.

3.11 ATFM USERS HANDBOOK
3.11.1 Supporting documentation, including detailed information in respect of the ATFM operations described above and other pertinent information has been included in the Bay of Bengal and South Asia ATFM Handbook (the “ATFM Users Handbook”), available at https://www.bobcat.aero
3.11.2 ANSPs and aircraft operators shall ensure that they are conversant with and able to apply the relevant procedures described in the ATFM Users Handbook.
3.12 CONTINGENCY PROCEDURES
3.12.1 In the event that an aircraft operator or Singapore ATC is unable to access the ATFMU website, the ATFMU shall be contacted via the alternative means (telephone, fax, AFTN) described in paragraph 2.13.
3.12.2 Contingency procedures for submission of slot request, including activation of Contingency Slot Request Templates (CSRT), are included in the ATFM Users Handbook.
3.12.3 In the event of system failure of BOBCAT, ATFMU shall notify all parties concerned and advise that ATFM slot allocation procedures are suspended. In this event, all parties concerned will revert to the existing ATM procedures as applicable outside the daily period of ATFM metering.
3.13 ATFM SYSTEM FAULT REPORTING
3.13.1 An ATFM system fault is defined as a significant occurrence affecting an ATS unit, an aircraft operator or ATFMU resulting from the application of ATFM procedures.
3.13.2 Aircraft operators and Singapore ATC experiencing an ATFM system fault should complete an ATFM System Fault Report Form from the ATFM Users Handbook and forward it to the ATFMU at the address indicated on the form. The ATFMU will analyse all reports, make recommendations / suggestions as appropriate and provide feedback to the parties concerned to enable remedial action.
3.14 ADDRESS OF AIR TRAFFIC FLOW MANAGEMENT UNIT (ATFMU)
3.14.1 The ATFMU may be contacted as follows:
Unit Name:Bangkok ATFMU
Telephone:+66-2-287-8024, +66-2-287-8025
Fax:+66-2-287-8027
Tel/Fax:+66-2-287-8026
E-mail:atfmu@bobcat.aero
AFTN:VTBBZDZX
Website:https://www.bobcat.aero