The attitude of an air traffic controller   must be similar to a teacher’s when dealing with a class room full of inquisitive, hyperactive children. The constant back and forth of ‘yes’, ‘no’, ‘do this while you’re waiting’, happens 52,000 times a day all around the world, according to SESAR, and its set to increase by 5% each year as the aviation industry grows.

As with numerous other areas of the aviation industry, clever scientists and engineers are required to improve efficiency and find solutions to our technological issues, not least with air traffic management. Air traffic inefficiency impacts on the environment more than might be expected  -  600 tonnes of CO2 are released every day as planes  circle over London. But, the solutions to solve these problems are underway.

NextGen is the US equivalent of SESAR, the scheme for a Single European Sky, which optimises air traffic management for the most efficient flight paths. NextGen works on the basis of satellite navigation of planes by air traffic controllers rather than traditional direct air-to-ground radio contact with control towers. The Federal Aviation Authority of the United States has been reaching into its pockets to provide new equipment and renovation of old control towers to prepare for an integrated and optimized air traffic system in metroplexes – geographic areas including one or more busy airports surrounded by a complex airspace.

There are copious benefits to modernising air traffic management, investment into technology for aviation effectively buys safety, reductions in carbon emissions, and ultimately, time. There are big expectations of NextGen, by 2018 the programme  is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 14 million tonnes, reduce delays by 35%, and reduce fuel use by 1.4billion gallons on a nationally. Key methods in doing this include route optimisation and continuous ascents and descents, which save up to 1.5tonnes of fuel on the up and a similar amount on the down.

Air Traffic Management plays  a massive supporting role to airlines and aircraft, and often goes unnoticed. Efforts by government institutions and transport departments all over the world to develop effective and efficient air traffic management are imperative in reducing emissions for aviation, and the future is looking smoother in the skies as  new technology permeates the industry.