Melbourne Airport is the second busiest in Australia, with projected traffic expected to double before 2030. The expected growth in demand means that we need to act now to increase airside capacity, particularly during peak traffic periods.

This brochure aims to increase awareness of the importance of runway occupancy and highlight how improvements can be made.

Pilots who operate into Melbourne report that congestion and delay is getting worse, particularly during peak periods. During periods when land and hold short operations (LAHSO) are not available, it is not unusual for a number of arriving aircraft to experience more than

20 minutes of airborne holding and periods of ground delay on departure.

Air traffic control, airlines and Melbourne Airport need to work collaboratively to ensure existing infrastructure is used to its full potential and that capacity is maximized. This requires a collaborative plan involving all airport users including flight crew.

Melbourne Airport Runway Occupancy TimeAirport Capacity Enhancement

airport capacity enhancementAirservices Australia, in partnership with Melbourne Airport, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Regional Express, Jetstar, Tiger Airways and other industry partners has embarked on a program called Airport Capacity Enhancement (ACE). The program aims to identify and address capacity constraints at Melbourne Airport and make changes that will see the early release of latent capacity. Opportunities to improve capacity have been identified, with the most important initiative aimed at reducing runway occupancy time (ROT).

Occupancy time has an impact on the capacity of the runway, but even small reductions in the average time an aircraft spends on the runway can have a significant impact on the overall runway capacity.

The experience of the European ACE program has shown that just five seconds lost per aircraft can result in two missed runway slots per

hour. Improvements in runway capacity of between five and 15 per cent can be achieved by reducing ROT and implementing associated ACE initiatives.

At busy airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick (which has a single runway), achieving minimum time on the runway is entrenched in pilot performance. These airports operate at close to one movement a minute (per runway) which is achieved due to the cooperation, professionalism and expertise of flight crew and air traffic controllers.

The ACE program will be progressively implemented at other major Australian airports.

arriving aircraftRunway occupancy time during landing will vary depending on the location of exits, wind and runway surface conditions. However, by making sound, informed decisions, pilots can contribute to reducing wasted runway capacity. Consistent and predictable runway occupancy times also assist controllers deliver optimum separation.

For example, as part of the pre-landing briefing, it is important that pilots establish a runway exit strategy that will minimise occupancy time. New information about rapid exit taxiway (RET) design speeds has been included to assist pilots determine the most suitable exit based on the landing weight of the aircraft and prevailing conditions.

Planning the runway exit does not mean that excessive braking is required. In some cases, it will be necessary to use less braking and maintain a safe speed to expedite your exit from the runway. However, it is the awareness, planning and briefing that is important.

RET Design Speeds - The following information is based upon the ICAO design speeds for RETs and is provided to assist pilots determine the most suitable exit.

Creating an environment where pilots and controllers work together to safely increase capacity is the key to reducing delay, cost and increasing the performance of the airport.

The icaO design speeds for available ReTS at melbourne airport.

Rwy ReT Speed Radius

34 F 53 kt 575 M

16 G 53 kt 560 M

27 N 53 kt 560 M

note: These exits are not mandatory and the promulgated speeds are the ICAO calculated maximum recommended speeds for the RET. Pilots should select the exit that provides the least runway occupancy time taking into account safety, operational and company considerations.

Departing aircraftFor departing aircraft, the emphasis is getting onto the runway and being ready to depart without undue delay. An appreciation of the traffic situation can help the pilot improve response times.

Minimising departure runway occupancy times can be helped by:

� completing checklists in due time to minimise checks on the runway

� lining-up without delay and avoiding backtracking unless required for performance reasons

� reacting promptly to take-off clearance

� most importantly - don’t rush and be prepared.

note: Some companies have included line up allowance in the aircraft performance chart. This enables the pilot to make a curved entry to the runway that is not perpendicular to the entry point. Pilots should consult their company performance department for clarification.

every second counts: every movement mattersThe experience of the European ACE program has shown that just five seconds lost per aircraft can result in two missed runway slots per hour.

average arrival runway occupancy time and exit distance from threshold

Runway exits approx. Distance from threshold (m)

average aROT (sec)

utilisation%

Rwy16 52.0

E 1350 41.0 4%

G 1900 48.3 85%

J 2900 84.4 11%

K 3657 92.0 0%

Rwy27 49.8

A 690 23.0 1%

RWY34/16 1100 31.0 1%

N 1700 39.4 58%

M 2286 66.1 40%

Rwy34 48.4

J 790 54.0 2%

F 1750 44.0 83%

E 2300 72.8 15%

airport average 51.4

conclusionReducing runway occupancy time is a key component of the ACE strategy. Together with the other ACE initiatives, it will help Melbourne Airport prepare for future growth.

Cooperation and understanding between pilots and air traffic controllers is vital to achieving this goal.

By anticipating the actions that pilots will take and the time they will spend on the runway, controllers can eliminate the need for margins and improve the movement rate. This will support consistent delivery of optimum separation between arriving and departing aircraft.

Enhancing runway capacity will help Airservices and operators achieve consistent performance, and build the confidence of pilots and controllers.

contact DetailsGuy Habermann Program Manager Airport Capacity Enhancement guy.habermann@airservicesaustralia.com

Rod Lee ATC Specialist Airport Capacity Enhancement Tel 03 9245 7407 rodney.lee@airservicesaustralia.com

arrival runway occupancy distribution by exit (Runway 16)

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