New technology now being utilized at Toronto Pearson airport will help reduce delays for passengers by better spacing out arriving aircraft, according to NAV CANADA, which says it is the first Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) in North America to deploy the time-based separation tool. It’s implementation comes at time when the airport is experiencing intense criticism by passengers over long wait times at customs, both inbound and outbound.

Intelligent Approach adds additional tactical capacity across the airport’s five runways, by helping deliver better on-time performance by optimising the spacing between arriving aircraft. At the same time, it will help reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions, particularly in high wind conditions, says NAV CANADA, which transitioned to the system on May 28.

NAV CANADA worked closely with its UK counterpart, NATS, and the science and technology leader Leidos, to introduce the system, which dynamically calculates the optimum time interval between arrivals based on live weather data and the aircraft type rather than relying on set distances. It then translates that into a graphical marker on a controller’s radar screen, helping to improve spacing consistency and maintain the landing rate even in strong headwinds.

Intelligent Approach was first introduced at Heathrow Airport in 2015, where the use of time-based separation, as a way of maintaining the landing rate, has cut headwind related delays by 62%.

“As the industry now begins to recover from the impact of COVID, it has never been more important for airports make the very best of their existing infrastructure,” says Guy Adams, NATS Strategy and Commercial Director.

NATS and Leidos are also working with Dutch air traffic service provider, LVNL, to support the deployment of Intelligent Approach for Schiphol Airport.