Aviation
enterpriseTarget: Commercial Airline
If you are a commercial airline dealing with flight delays and high fuel burn due to congestion — this project developed automated demand-capacity solvers that reduce costs and improve fuel efficiency.
HARMONIC · Project
AI-Driven Air Traffic Management for Optimized Flight Capacity and Reduced Fuel Costs
transportTestedTRL 6
Imagine air traffic like a giant digital puzzle where the pieces are constantly moving. Instead of static flight paths, this system lets the sky change its layout in real-time to avoid jams. It uses smart tools to predict bottlenecks and automatically suggest the best routes to keep planes moving smoothly.
By the numbers
19
consortium partners
10
countries involved
63%
industry partner ratio
The business problem
What needed solving
Air traffic controllers and airlines struggle with rigid airspace boundaries and manual capacity balancing, leading to flight delays, inefficient fuel use, and wasted airspace capacity.
The solution
What was built
A set of advanced prototypes including DCB solvers for capacity optimization and 'what-if' simulation tools for decision support.
Audience
Who needs this
Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs)Commercial Airline Operations CentersMilitary Airspace ManagersAirport Hub Managers
Business applications
Who can put this to work
Defense
enterpriseTarget: Military Air Force
If you are a military organization dealing with rigid airspace restrictions that hinder training — this project developed dynamic mobile areas that allow military activities to be integrated safely into civil air traffic plans.
Air Navigation Services
enterpriseTarget: Air Traffic Control Provider
If you are an ATC provider dealing with manual airspace reconfiguration and capacity imbalances — this project developed what-if simulation prototypes that automate the resolution of network-wide bottlenecks.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
What is the cost or price for implementing these tools?
Based on available project data, specific pricing or implementation costs are not provided, as the project focuses on developing prototypes and operational concepts.
At what industrial scale is the technology available?
The project aims for TRL6, meaning the solutions are developed as prototypes intended for validation in operational environments before full-scale deployment.
How is the IP and licensing handled for these solvers?
Based on available project data, there is no specific information regarding licensing terms or patent filings for the DCB solvers.
What regulations affect the deployment of this system?
The consortium has evaluated potential regulatory impacts and conducted safety assessments to ensure the tools meet aviation safety standards.
What is the timeline for the final results?
The project runs from 2023-06-01 to 2026-05-31, with prototype validation scheduled for Q2, Q3, and Q4 of 2025.
How does this integrate with existing network management?
The system is designed to integrate with the new architecture of integrated Network Management (iNM) and existing ATC Planning (INAP) tools.
Consortium
Who built it
The project is heavily industry-driven, with 12 industrial partners representing 63% of the 19-member consortium. This strong commercial presence, coordinated by EUROCONTROL and spanning 10 countries, suggests the resulting tools are being built for immediate operational utility rather than theoretical research.
How to reach the team
Contact EUROCONTROL in Belgium for technical specifications on DCB solvers.
Next steps
Talk to the team behind this work.
Contact us to identify licensing opportunities for the 2025 prototype releases.
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