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12.5 Capacity & Demand

Training Objective

To understand the relationship between traffic demand and sector capacity.


Key Knowledge

  • Sector capacity limits
  • Demand fluctuations
  • Flow imbalance

Operational Application

Controllers shall:

  • Monitor demand continuously
  • Take action before capacity is exceeded

1. Overview

Capacity is the maximum workload a sector can safely manage.


2. Core Content

2.1 Capacity

  • Defined by complexity, not numbers

2.2 Demand

  • Traffic entering the sector

2.3 Imbalance

  • Occurs when demand exceeds capacity

3. Procedures

3.1 Management

  • Apply delay or rerouting where required

4. Standards

  • Sector capacity shall not be exceeded

5. Notes

  • Late action leads to sector overload