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4. Traffic Management

4.1 General

Traffic management is the process of organising aircraft within the TMA to ensure safe, orderly, and expeditious flow.

The Approach Controller shall manage traffic proactively to maintain separation and efficient sequencing.

4.2 Objectives

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Maintain continuous and predictable traffic flow
  • Ensure separation is maintained at all times
  • Minimise delay and unnecessary manoeuvring
  • Integrate arrivals and departures effectively

4.3 Traffic Planning

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Develop and maintain a mental traffic picture
  • Plan sequencing and spacing in advance
  • Anticipate traffic demand and conflicts
  • Adjust plans early based on changing conditions

Effective planning reduces workload and prevents conflict.

4.4 Traffic Management Techniques

The Approach Controller shall apply the following techniques as required:

4.4.1 Speed Control

  • Adjust aircraft speed to manage spacing
  • Use early to prevent compression
  • Avoid excessive or late speed changes

4.4.2 Radar Vectoring

  • Use headings to establish spacing and sequence
  • Position aircraft efficiently for approach
  • Avoid unnecessary manoeuvring

4.4.3 Sequencing

  • Establish landing order early
  • Maintain consistent spacing between aircraft
  • Deliver aircraft in a stable sequence

4.5 Flow Management

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Monitor traffic demand continuously
  • Balance arrival and departure flow
  • Prevent overloading of the sequence
  • Regulate traffic to maintain manageable workload

Traffic shall not be accepted beyond the controller’s capacity to maintain safe separation.

4.6 Workload Management

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Simplify traffic when workload increases
  • Reduce complexity where required
  • Prioritise critical tasks
  • Maintain control of the traffic situation

4.7 Common Errors

The following errors shall be avoided:

  • Overloading the arrival sequence
  • Applying late or reactive corrections
  • Allowing spacing to compress
  • Excessive or unnecessary vectoring

These errors increase workload and risk of loss of separation.

4.8 Key Principle

Effective traffic management is proactive.

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Plan ahead
  • Act early
  • Maintain control of the sequence

Good traffic management prevents problems rather than reacting to them.