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Volcanic Ash: A Potent and Prickly Threat to Aviation

Volcanoes can appear serene and beautiful, but beneath the surface lies a sleeping giant capable of spewing tons of fine particulate matter and toxic gases into the atmosphere with little warning. While impressive to behold, volcanic ash poses a significant and sometimes severe threat to flight operations, highlighting the delicate balance between technological advancement and nature’s raw power.

Unlike benign clouds of water vapor, volcanic ash is composed of tiny, sharp fragments of rock, glass, and minerals. These particles can severely impact aircraft systems, making accurate monitoring and informed decision-making essential for dispatchers and flight operations teams.

 

When Reality Hits: British Airways Flight 009

The risks associated with volcanic ash became evident during the 1982 incident involving British Airways Flight 009. While cruising over Indonesia, the aircraft entered an ash cloud from Mount Galunggung. All four engines failed within minutes due to ash ingestion, forcing the crew into an emergency descent. Although the flight was ultimately recovered, the incident remains a defining example of how quickly a routine operation can escalate, and why situational awareness is critical. For today’s OCC teams, it underlines the importance of reliable data and proactive planning when operating in regions with volcanic activity.

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A Continental Disruption: Eyjafjallajökull 2010

The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland demonstrated the large-scale operational impact of volcanic ash. Airspace closures across Europe led to thousands of flight cancellations and widespread disruption.

For dispatchers and network planners, the event highlighted how a single eruption can affect not just individual flights, but entire schedules, fleet utilization, and passenger flows. It also emphasized the need for robust contingency planning and real-time operational flexibility.

 

The Challenge of Unpredictability

What makes volcanic ash particularly challenging is its sudden and unpredictable nature. Eruptions can occur with little warning, and ash clouds can shift rapidly depending on atmospheric conditions.

Although satellite monitoring and forecasting capabilities have improved, accurately predicting ash concentration and movement remains complex. For dispatchers and air traffic control, this creates a dynamic environment where real-time decisions are essential to maintain safety.

Manage flight plans, access critical updates, and stay informed on the go with CrewBriefing

Moving Beyond “Go/No-Go”: Quantitative Volcanic Ash Prediction

To address these challenges and enhance safety, a new format with Quantitative Volcanic Ash predictions is being developed. These advanced forecasting tools utilize a combination of atmospheric modelling, and ground-based observations to provide more precise and up-to-date information about ash concentration and trajectory. By providing quantitative estimates of ash density at different altitudes and over different geographic regions, these predictions empower operators to make more informed decisions about flight planning and route selection.

This new format moves beyond simple "go/no-go" advisories and enables more precise flight planning, helping operators maintain safety while minimizing unnecessary disruption. For OCC teams, it represents a move toward more data-driven and flexible operations in challenging environments.

 

Supporting Safer and More Efficient Operations

Volcanic ash remains a significant operational risk, with the potential to impact safety, efficiency, and network stability. Historical events have shown how quickly conditions can change and how critical timely, informed decisions are.

As forecasting technology continues to evolve, more precise and data-driven tools like Quantitative Volcanic Ash predictions are helping operators strike a better balance between safety and operational continuity, ensuring that even in the presence of nature’s most unpredictable forces, informed decisions can keep operations moving safely.

 

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Benefits of Continuous Climb/Descent Operations

When most consider how to reduce fuel burn, the cruise phase of flight is often given the most attention. While this makes sense given that the aircraft is cruising for most of the flight’s duration, the climb and descent portion is often overlooked.

During the climb, thrust levels are generally higher, the aircraft is at its heaviest, and the airspace is constrained. With this month’s Monthly Flight Operations Focus, we will delve into how operational efficiencies can be gained in the climb / descent portion of flight and factors impeding such efficiencies.

Video Tutorial: How to include SID and STAR in PPS X

 

What is Continuous Climb/Descent Operations (CCO/CDO)?

Continuous Climb Operations (CCO) and Continuous Descent Operations (CDO) are flight techniques enabled through appropriate airspace and procedure design and supported by air traffic control clearances which allow aircraft to fly profiles optimized to their performance capabilities.

CCO allows departing aircraft to climb continuously to their initial cruise altitude at optimal airspeeds and thrust settings, thereby reducing fuel consumption, emissions, and noise. Similarly, CDO enables arriving aircraft to follow an optimized, continuous descent using low thrust and low-drag configurations, minimizing fuel burn, emissions, and noise.

The optimal vertical profile is a continuously climbing trajectory, and any non-optimal climb segments introduced to meet aircraft separation requirements should be avoided. However, achieving this while also supporting CDO and maximizing overall airport capacity depends heavily on airspace design and the level restrictions applied through flight procedures or air traffic control clearances.

Effective design requires a thorough understanding of the optimal aircraft performance profiles at the airport to ensure procedures strike a balance between minimizing level-offs and speed constraints that degrade climb efficiency and accommodating other airspace users. Well-designed airspace should reduce the need to manage conflicts between arriving and departing traffic through ATC-imposed level or speed restrictions.

 

SID and STAR Design Considerations

The structure of SIDs and STARs often depends on airspace design and ATC procedures, but there’s still room for optimization. SID/STAR procedures need to be developed in a manner whereby they allow for the most optimal routings while avoiding conflicting traffic.

Thus, SID/STARs must be designed with consideration to the flight characteristics, limitations, and the aircraft performance capabilities encompassing a swath of aircraft type.

The climb phase-of-flight entails the highest thrust settings and highest rate of fuel consumption. Starting with the departing or arriving runway, the CCO/CDO SID/STAR should be created to allow inhibited flows between the runway and the procedure transition waypoint.

This applies to the intended aerodrome but must also consider other aerodromes in the areas. Ideally, a procedure would be created to allow unrestricted routing to/from the aerodrome, including crossing altitudes and speed restrictions. To accomplish this, traffic flows, terrain, restricted airspace, generic aircraft performance, and noise must be considered to accomplish a balanced SID/STAR design.

See how easy it is to change SIDs and STARs in PPS Flight Planning

Source: Qatar Supp 01/2025-03

Applying CCO/CDO in Operational Use

Operational use of the CCO/CDO involves optimal performance profile selection, aircraft configuration, and limited flight level requirements. As the aircraft is within the vicinity of the aerodrome, consideration should be given to flaps, slats, spoilers, and gear – all of which will impact the noise and fuel consumption.

To accomplish this, greater speed management will be required by flight crew as a clean configured aircraft will have higher Ref speeds – especially on approach. Ideally, the FMS would provide the optimum speeds based on the selected CCO/CDO procedure.

Despite a CCO/CDO being a SID or STAR, there are additional requirements on flight crew to consider. Unrestricted climbs to cruise are the most efficient operations; however, risk is injected if amendments to the climb are given once airborne as such injection may not be expected and require a reconfiguration of the FMS. Therefore, minimizing flight deck workload shall be accounted for when designing a CCO/CDO.

Additionally, the term continuous climb or continuous descent implies unimpeded restrictions to top-of-climb or bottom-of-descent. To ensure optimal use of the CCO/CDO, additional briefings may be required when flying a CCO/CDO procedure: speed or FL restrictions, noise abatement, optimal speed selection, unanticipated ATC interventions.

Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Qantas_Boeing_737-800_spoiler_deployed_for_descent.jpg

The Role of Air Traffic Control in CCO/CDO Operations

The procedure design and flight plan are based on optimal environmental conditions. Once the flight is operational, tactical adjustments must be made by the ATCO who has the real-time perspective of the sector they are working. Thus, a Controller must be aware of providing proper separation while removing impediments to a flight on a CCO/CDO SID or STAR.

The prevailing notion of reaching top-of-climb as quickly as possible may not be the most efficient trajectory as flight crew may have selected a lower thrust climb profile. Conversely, tactical re-routing on the procedure can bring benefit as reduced track mileage is flown, although the ATCO must be aware of the noise regulations in the re-routed airspace. Ultimately, the flight crew must determine if a shorter route can be accepted due to aircraft performance.

In order to apply CCO/CDO, Controllers should be given adequate training on the benefits – and consequences – of CCO/CDO. The training should include the airspace design, pre-determined factors to avoid conflicting traffic, an understanding of aircraft performance, and the necessity to use standard ATC phraseology.

Because CCO/CDO procedures require no vectoring, the Controller is able to monitor the flight as opposed to actively work the flight. With that being said, Departure Clearance or the Arrival Controller must be aware of the TMA capacity to ensure that uninhibited CCO/CDO procedures can be flown.

Source: https://www.eizoglobal.com/solutions/casestudies/atc/federal-aviation-administration/index.html

What Makes CCO/CDO Successful?

As the aviation industry moves toward a more sustainable future, small improvements across thousands of daily flights can make a significant cumulative impact.

Expanding the prevalence of CCO/CDO procedures is a method to improve flight and environmental efficiencies. In order to have successful CCO/CDO operations, the procedures and airspace need to ensure that traffic conflicts can be avoided, airspace capacity can be maintained, the SID/STARs are cost-effective for the operator, reduces workload for crew and Controllers while mitigating environmental impacts.

If these requirements can be consistently met during daily operators, then it can be said that the CCO/CDO procedure is a success.

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Ensuring Continuous Tracking with ACARS

In modern flight operations, situational awareness depends on reliable aircraft tracking. Yet, even with today’s advanced surveillance systems, data gaps can still occur, especially over oceans, deserts, or remote airspace, where ground-based radar or ADS-B coverage is limited.

In simple terms, ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System) is a digital datalink system that enables automated communication between aircraft and ground systems, ensuring operators receive critical operational data anywhere in the world.

That’s why ACARS remains a vital part of global aviation. Using VHF, HF, or SATCOM channels, ACARS provides a resilient communication bridge that supports continuous position reporting, OOOI events, and essential status messages even when other tracking sources experience interruptions.

 

Why Aircraft Tracking Can Be Lost

Despite major advances in surveillance, interruptions in aircraft tracking still happen. Typical causes include:

• Coverage gaps – Ground radar and ADS-B depend on terrestrial or satellite coverage, which remains incomplete in certain regions.
• Signal interference – GPS and ADS-B signals can be disrupted by interference or targeted jamming.
• System outages – Failures in data networks or onboard transponders can temporarily interrupt position reporting.
• Equipment or power issues – Onboard system faults may prevent data from being transmitted.

These interruptions create short-lived “blind spots” in tracking data unless operators have a redundant system in place to compensate.

 

ACARS: A Redundant and Reliable Tracking Source

ACARS provides a critical extra layer of situational awareness by transmitting messages directly from the aircraft’s onboard systems. Because it uses multiple communication channels (VHF, HF, and satellite), ACARS continues operating even when other tracking feeds go offline.

When integrated with systems like OpsControl, ACARS data complements radar and ADS-B feeds to create a layered tracking setup. This approach ensures continuous aircraft visibility and improves operational resilience, especially for long-haul and transoceanic operations.

Key Benefits of Using ACARS for Tracking

• Continuous coverage – Maintains position reporting even in regions without ADS-B or radar visibility.
• Data reliability – Messages are generated directly by the aircraft’s systems, reducing dependency on external networks.
• Operational awareness – OOOI events (Out, Off, On, In) and automatic position reports enhance flight watch and dispatch efficiency.
• Resilience through redundancy – Keeps the operational picture intact when other communication links fail.

For global operators, this means fewer blind spots, more confidence, and a stronger foundation for proactive flight following.

READ ALSO: Incorporating Real-Time Risk Management into an Airline Integrated OCC (IOCC)

 

A Proven Network for Global Operations

ACARS has supported aircraft-to-ground communication for decades, connecting cockpits and dispatch centers through robust, redundant networks. Its global reach across terrestrial radio frequencies and satellite links makes it one of the few truly universal communication systems in aviation.

By integrating ACARS data into their operational systems, operators gain a reliable backup for flight tracking and an added layer of safety for every phase of flight.

 

What ACARS Data Covers

Position reports and OOOI events are among the most familiar uses of ACARS, but the data stream can carry a much wider range of operational information. Understanding what these messages contain helps dispatchers and flight operations teams make better use of the data available from their aircraft.

ACARS supports both downlinks from the aircraft and uplinks to it. Depending on the aircraft's equipment and operator setup, downlinks can include position reports, fuel information, engine performance data, and maintenance messages. Uplinks can deliver weather data, clearances, and operational instructions directly to the flight deck.

Some examples of the information exchanged through ACARS data include:

• Automatic position reports: Providing aircraft position updates at operator-defined intervals.
• Fuel and performance data: Supporting flight tracking, fuel monitoring, and post-flight analysis.
• Maintenance messages: Allowing ground teams to identify potential technical issues and prepare before an aircraft lands.
• Weather information: Delivering relevant METAR and TAF data directly to the flight crew.
• Operational messages: Exchanging clearances and other instructions between the aircraft and ground operations.

The frequency of position reports also plays an important role. More frequent reporting provides a more detailed picture of the aircraft's progress, which can be particularly valuable on oceanic routes and in areas with limited tracking coverage. Operators can adjust reporting intervals to suit their operational needs and requirements.

 

Operations Where ACARS Adds Particular Value

Not every operation depends on ACARS data to the same extent. Its value can be particularly clear when aircraft operate beyond the reach of ground-based tracking infrastructure or across routes with limited coverage.

For long-haul and transoceanic operations, ACARS can provide an additional source of position reports and other operational data when terrestrial coverage is limited. Combined with other available tracking sources, these reports help OCC teams maintain a clearer picture of aircraft progress during long periods away from ground-based infrastructure.

Cargo and ACMI operators may also benefit from automated ACARS reporting, particularly when teams are monitoring multiple aircraft across different time zones. Access to regular updates can reduce the need for manual follow-up and help OCC teams identify when a flight requires attention.

The same applies to operations in remote areas, including resource-sector charters and government missions over polar or desert regions. Where tracking coverage is limited, additional position reports can help operations teams maintain situational awareness and respond when an aircraft's progress differs from expectations.

Trip support and service providers handling ad hoc flights through less frequently covered airspace can also benefit from ACARS as part of a broader tracking setup. Having access to additional aircraft data helps them maintain visibility of flights and provide their clients with relevant operational updates.

 

Looking Ahead

As the industry moves toward even greater data integration and automation, ACARS remains a cornerstone of reliable flight operations.

At AIR SUPPORT, we continue to enhance connectivity options within our solutions, ensuring that operators benefit from continuous situational awareness wherever their aircraft are in the world.

OpsControl® supports integration with ACARS, so you can receive important data from your aircraft wherever they fly. If you’d like to know more and schedule a free demo of this feature, click the button below.

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The Evolution of NOTAMs

The concept of notifying pilots of changes or hazards impacting their flight dates back to the early days of aviation, when pilots relied on ad hoc bulletins or notices distributed by national aviation authorities. Over time, as air traffic grew and operations became more complex, the need for a formal notification mechanism became apparent.

With the creation of ICAO in 1947, a more standardized global framework for aviation information emerged. The acronym NOTAM (Notice to Airmen or Notice to Air Mission) entered common usage alongside a standardized method to create the relevant information.

At first, NOTAMs were relatively simple: they supplemented regular aeronautical information publications (AIP) or charts with timely alerts about changes, hazards, or temporary conditions (runway closures, obstacles, etc.). As systems evolved, the content of the NOTAM has expanded, and the method of transmission shifted to the use of the AFTN.

 

What NOTAMs Cover

Today, a NOTAM is a formal notice containing information about the establishment, condition, or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure, or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to flight operations. Owing to loose definitions, liability concerns, and an overall global reach of aviation, NOTAM content now encompasses far more information than originally anticipated ~80 years ago.

READ ALSO: Understanding NOTAMs in Aviation

Understanding NOTAM Structure and Types

Under the guidance of ICAO Annex 15, the structure of a NOTAM is well-defined. The benefits of this structure are often lost owing to free-text or inconsistent application of the NOTAM from individual NOTAM Offices (NOFs).

Some common NOTAM categories are:

• Aerodrome / runway NOTAMs: closures, lighting outages, pavement conditions, snow/ice, taxiway availability.
• Navigational aid (NAVAID) NOTAMs: malfunctioning VORs, ILS, GPS outages, etc.
• Airspace / restriction NOTAMs: temporary flight restrictions, military exercise zones, special use airspace, drone/UAS restricted areas.
• Obstacle / crane notices (OBST): tall structures or cranes near active flight paths.
• Hazard or event notices: bird concentrations, snow/ice conditions (SNOWTAM), volcanic ash (ASHTAM), rocket launches, parachuting, laser activity.
• Procedure / chart changes: changes in instrument approach or departure procedures, missed approach fixes.
• Service communications: failures in communications links, ATC services, lighting, radar, etc.
• Regulatory / security / administrative: VIP movement, special events, temporary no‑fly zones.

 

https://nats-uk.ead-it.com/cms-nats/export/sites/default/en/NOTAM/NOTAM/NOTAM-Guidance-Material-Version-6.0-10_08_2023.pdf

A Growing Volume of Information

Various entities in aviation receive and database NOTAMs from NOFs globally. A survey conducted in 2020 revealed that there were 1.7 million new NOTAMs issued. Of this number, AIR SUPPORT personnel have determined that an average of 600 new NOTAMs each day are relevant for flight planning constraints.

https://ops.group/blog/the-notam-team/

Why the Number of NOTAMs Keeps Rising

Despite sophisticated charts, on‑board navigation systems, and predictive data used in modern aviation, NOTAMs are still required for the simple reason that no alternative has been developed that fulfils the role as a source for transmitting timely aeronautical changes. The industry has long identified the current NOTAM system as a safety hazard and liability, yet replacing NOTAMs with a new process has proven to be unattainable thus far. Numerous reasons can be attributed to the difficulty, including the below.

 

Non-Compliance To ICAO Guidance

According to ICAO Annex 15, NOTAMs are to be used for activities of a short duration and are to remain valid for no longer than 90 days. Any information still valid thereafter should be distributed via a formal publication: AIRAC AMDT, Supplement, or AIC. Even with this guidance, NOTAM databases contain NOTAMs that are 10+ years old. Because NOTAMs sometimes persist past their useful life, pilots face “clutter” that can obscure critical items.

 

Difficulty in Filtering

In aviation, where safety is paramount, it can be difficult to determine which NOTAMs are operationally relevant and which are marginal. To offset the sheer volume of NOTAMs, flight planning systems offer users the ability to reduce their NOTAM package through electronic filters. However, due to inconsistencies in NOTAM issuance – namely with the Q-Code, effective times, and keywords, more NOTAMs than necessary are presented to the flight crew. Conversely, aggressive filtering can lead to relevant NOTAMs being omitted.

 

Legacy Habits and Legal Liability

Following with the safety mentality, many NOTAM originators and NOFs take the position of ‘more information is better than less’, which results in issuing a NOTAM even for minor changes. This leads to policies that lack clear criteria and oversight, whereby NOTAMs for minor issues (e.g., small crane operations, low antennas, grass cutting) are being published, even if the operational impact is negligible.

Omitting a NOTAM that later leads to an incident may expose liability. Thus, there is an understandable resistance to removing “non‑critical” NOTAMs. Additionally, airspace users are subject to the regulations stipulated by their CAA, who can conduct ramp checks and audits of the flight crew’s documentation. Any NOTAM excluded from the NOTAM package that is deemed relevant by the Regulator could result in penalties being levied.

 

Technical & Data Architecture Constraints

Traditional NOTAM systems are often constrained by legacy architectures (e.g., plain text, limited fields, AFTN routing). These systems lack complicated functionalities or filtering capabilities, making it hard to suppress irrelevant NOTAMs automatically. The shift to new NOTAM systems is complex and expensive. In an environment where the digital NOTAM is not widely used, the reluctance of ANSPs to invest in new systems is understandable.

 

https://store.icao.int/en/annex-15-aeronautical-information-services

Modernization Efforts and the Digital NOTAM

Despite technical constraints, the move to digital NOTAM is gaining traction globally. The AIXM-based digital format aims to make them machine‑friendly and more selectively filtered, but the underlying function is still essentially the same: a message containing timely changes to aeronautical information.

In the meantime, various organizations have launched initiatives with the focus on reducing the number of NOTAMs to be reviewed by the Dispatcher / Flight Crew. While valiant, these initiatives still do not address the core problem: too many NOTAMs are being issued.

 

https://ext.eurocontrol.int/aixm_confluence/display/ADTKIT/Overview?preview=/39880480/75989302/DigitalEventOverview.png

The Way Forward

NOTAMs remain a critical link in the chain of aviation safety, bridging the gap between static aeronautical data and real‑time operations. Their history stretches back decades, evolving from simple bulletins to the forthcoming digital format with content ranging from runway closures to airspace restrictions to navigational outages.

Yet the problem of too many NOTAMs is real: pilots often find themselves sorting through pages of NOTAMs to identify relevant content. Efforts to reduce that clutter run into challenges of judgment, organizational inertia, legacy systems, safety conservatism, and the need to coordinate across many stakeholders.

The path forward lies in modernization: adopting structured digital NOTAM formats, enhanced filtering and relevance scoring, better criteria for issuance and cancellation, and improved user interfaces. But even with better tools, the underlying requirement remains: how to deliver complete, timely safety-critical information while minimizing distraction and overload. While technologies evolve, the core concern surrounding the number of NOTAMs will remain an active concern in aviation for years to come.

 

How to Handle NOTAMs Today?

AIR SUPPORT has added NOTAM keyword highlighting in CrewBriefing (see the Help Centre article below) and alerts and warning messages in the OpsControl | NOTAM Watch module - enabling dispatchers and flight operations to manage NOTAMs more easily and with greater confidence. 

 

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Worldwide Presence, Technical Support 24/7/365

Global flight operations do not pause for time zones, and neither does our support. When a dispatcher needs help, when a crew is preparing for departure, or when a compliance update hits, operators expect fast, reliable answers. That’s why AIR SUPPORT has built its presence across four major regions of the world; to make sure customers have support and expertise close at hand, no matter where they operate.

See the results of the 2025 customer satisfaction survey

 

Global Reach, Regional Knowledge

From our headquarters in Billund, Denmark, AIR SUPPORT has grown to support customers in more than 100 countries. Today, we have representation in Europe and Africa, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. Our teams in France, Belgium, Canada, and Singapore complement the work of our Danish headquarters, providing local points of contact for commercial and support needs.

For operators, this means two things. First, access to help in your own time zone. Whether it’s mid-morning in Singapore or late afternoon in Montreal, our specialists are available. Second, it means advice shaped by regional context. Aviation may be global, but regulations, procedures, and day-to-day challenges often differ between regions. Our teams bring that understanding to every customer interaction.

Read more about AIR SUPPORT’s customer service

 

Meeting Operators Where You Are

Being present worldwide is also about being visible in the industry. You’ll often find our commercial and technical specialists at regional conferences, ERA events in Europe, Aircraft Commerce conferences in Asia, the Americas, and EMEA, or at shows such as Aviation Africa. These meetings are more than exhibitions; they are opportunities for us to sit down with operators, learn about your current challenges, and discuss how our solutions, from OpsControl® to PPS Flight Planning® and CrewBriefing, can adapt to your workflows.

Read more about the 2025 customer satisfaction survey

 

Why It Matters

For customers, AIR SUPPORT’s worldwide presence means continuity. Operators know they can count on our 24/7 technical support and reach us directly, but also meet our teams in person throughout the year. It’s a combination of global coverage and local accessibility.

As aviation becomes more complex and interconnected, AIR SUPPORT’s guiding principle remains: flexibility makes the difference. With teams across regions and a customer base that spans airlines, business aviation, and service providers, we are committed to being close to the operators who rely on us; wherever in the world you fly.

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Supporting Trip Support and Service Providers Around the World; One Flight Plan at a Time

When you work behind the scenes in the aviation industry, people don’t always see the complexity of what you do. Flight Service Providers (FSPs) and Trip Support Companies are a good example. They are the invisible link keeping things moving smoothly, often under time pressure and across multiple time zones.

At AIR SUPPORT, we have worked with Trip Support and Service Providers of different sizes for decades, from niche providers to larger trip support companies, and one thing we have learned is that flexibility makes the difference.

Read more about our PPS Flight Planning solution for Trip Support and Service Providers here

 

Tailored Flight Log Layout

Whether handling a single ad-hoc flight or managing dispatch for a whole fleet, your flight planning system should match how you work. Not the other way around.

That’s why PPS Flight Planning® allows flight service providers to tailor the flight log layout to suit individual client needs. As business requirements shift, the layout can be easily updated to reflect current operational demands without the need for complex workarounds or development.

This flexibility helps Trip Support and Service Providers present information in a clear, professional format that aligns with their clients’ expectations and workflows, supporting both consistency and efficiency in day-to-day operations.

 

Managing Multiple Clients Simultaneously

Trip support services often involve handling flight planning for several clients at the same time, each with their own aircraft types, preferences, and operational requirements. This means being able to accommodate different ways of working while keeping the planning process manageable.

With PPS Flight Planning, flight service providers can tailor flight log layouts to meet individual customer requirements. This flexibility makes it easier to adapt the planning setup to different clients and their needs, while working within the same flight planning platform.

 

Handling Ad-Hoc and Last-Minute Requests

Aviation trip support rarely follows a predictable schedule. Requests may come in at short notice, destinations can change, and clients still expect accurate flight plans regardless of the timing. Having tools that support this way of working is therefore important.

Access to current aircraft performance data can help make the planning process more efficient, especially when handling requests involving different aircraft types. PPS Flight Planning users also benefit from free access to AIR SUPPORT's archive of generic aircraft performance data, which is regularly updated by our aircraft specialists. This provides a useful resource when responding to different planning requirements.

 

Pricing That Works for Every Operation

Some Trip Support and Service Providers prefer flat-rate pricing, while others want pay-per-use. AIR SUPPORT supports both, and even a combination of the two. It all depends on what makes sense for your client base.

Under the pay-per-use arrangement, Trip Support and Service Providers pay a monthly subscription fee combined with a price rate per flight plan. This approach minimizes implementation costs and ensures that running costs align with production levels. Volume discounts are available based on the number of flight plans filed monthly, providing cost advantages as the operation scales.

Alternatively, a flat-rate arrangement is ideal for aircraft operating on a more regular basis. This option offers a predictable cost structure, simplifying financial planning and providing stability for Trip Support and Service Providers serving specific aircraft tails.

For maximum flexibility, operators can also combine the two models, applying each where it best fits. This way, you deliver value-added services while maintaining profitability, without being tied to a one-size-fits-all setup.

 

Customised Briefings

For many operators, the CrewBriefing tool is the face of your service. That is why AIR SUPPORT offer white-label options, allowing you to include your logo and maintain a consistent experience across your customer touchpoints. It’s a simple tweak, but it adds professionalism and brand cohesion, especially when managing multiple clients.

 

Free Access to Generic Aircraft Performance Data

Flight planning relies on accurate aircraft data, but building those performance files takes time. To help get started faster, AIR SUPPORT provides free access to an archive of regularly updated generic aircraft performance data. Maintained by aircraft specialists, this resource ensures that Trip Support and Service Providers have access to reliable and up-to-date information when preparing flight plans. Whether onboarding a new customer or managing an unusual request, this saves time and gets you operational faster.

 

Designed Around Your Workflow

For Trip Support and Service Providers supporting international operators or local charters, reliable flight plans are expected to be delivered, also under pressure. At AIR SUPPORT®, we are here to make that task easier with tools that adapt to your needs, not the other way around.

If you’d like to learn more about how PPS Flight Planning and our Trip Support and Service Providers options work, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team below.

Flight Tracking for FSPs

Once flights are underway, FSPs need more than the original flight plan. They need a clear overview of where their aircraft are, whether flights are progressing as expected, and whether there is anything that requires attention.

OpsControl® Flight Tracking gives FSPs a dedicated master account for monitoring all registered aircraft in one place, including flights from different sources. This provides a complete overview of the fleet without having to switch between multiple accounts or views.

With automatic flight plan matching, configurable route deviation alerts, integrated weather and NOTAM monitoring, and multiple tracking sources including terrestrial and satellite ADS-B, FSPs can maintain visibility of their flights throughout the operation. OpsControl also integrates directly with PPS Flight Planning, bringing flight planning and flight tracking together in one workflow.

For FSPs managing flights to remote or low-coverage regions, optional satellite ADS-B tracking can further extend coverage. Automated departure and arrival notifications can also help keep flight operators informed throughout the journey.

Connecting You with Trip Support Providers Worldwide

Flight planning is only one part of supporting an operation, especially when flights take you across borders and into unfamiliar destinations. Having access to reliable local service providers can be just as important.

To help pilots, operators, and flight service providers find the support they need, we have created a Business Network for our Trip Support & Service Providers. The network provides a directory of trip support and service providers across five global regions, making it easier to find relevant contacts when planning and operating flights around the world.

The network covers Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, with providers listed by country within each region. The directory is updated quarterly to help keep the information current.

Our Business Network provides a convenient starting point, if you are looking for local support for an upcoming operation or expanding your network of service providers.

Benefits of Fuel Optimization Strategies and Continuous Feedback to Flight Planning Systems

Fuel costs and environmental concerns make fuel optimization a top priority for airlines worldwide. With fuel expenses accounting for a significant portion of an airline’s operational budget, implementing effective fuel optimization strategies has become essential for improving both profitability and sustainability. Below, we explore the benefits of fuel optimization and highlight the importance of continuously feeding back data and analysis into flight planning systems.

READ ALSO: Free Route Airspace: A New Era in Flight Planning

 

Fuel Optimization Strategies

As mentioned, optimizing fuel usage has become a critical factor in sustaining profitability and meeting sustainability goals. With advanced flight planning systems, airlines can leverage real-time data and analytics to implement strategies effectively, enhancing efficiency across all areas of flight management. In the sections below, we will go through strategies that focus on reducing consumption, cutting operational costs, and minimizing environmental impact - objectives central to modern airline operations.

 

Reducing Fuel Consumption

Fuel consumption reduction is one of the primary objectives of any fuel optimization strategy. By using advanced technologies and data analytics, airlines can optimize flight routes, altitude, speed, and aircraft weight to minimize fuel burn. The Flight Planning System plays a vital role in helping airlines achieve this by integrating real-time data on weather, wind, and airspace constraints to calculate the most fuel-efficient routes. This optimization not only reduces operational costs but also improves overall flight efficiency.

 

Lowering Operational Costs

Effective fuel optimization strategies not only help in reducing fuel consumption but also lead to significant cost reductions for airlines. Fuel expenses often constitute a major proportion of an airline's operating budget, and any reduction in fuel consumption directly contributes to improved financial performance. By optimizing flight operations and implementing fuel-efficient practices, airlines can achieve substantial cost savings, enabling them to invest in other operational areas or offer competitive pricing to customers.

 

Environmental Impact

Reducing fuel burn not only cuts costs but also contributes to the aviation industry’s goal of lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Airlines can significantly decrease their carbon footprint by adopting fuel-efficient practices, such as optimizing flight paths and reducing idle time.

Continuous Feedback to Flight Planning Systems

Fuel optimization is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process that requires continuous refinement. By feeding operational data back into flight planning systems, airlines can ensure their fuel optimization strategies remain adaptive and effective over time. Incorporating real-time data such as aircraft performance, weather conditions, and air traffic scenarios allows flight planners to fine-tune their calculations and improve decision-making accuracy. This process helps airlines achieve long-term improvements in both fuel efficiency and overall operational performance. Below, we explore the key benefits of maintaining a continuous feedback loop between fuel optimization strategies and flight planning systems.

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Enhancing Accuracy of Fuel Burn Calculations

Continuous feedback loops between operational data and flight planning systems are essential for ensuring accurate fuel burn calculations. By continuously feeding real-time data, such as aircraft performance and weather conditions, back into flight planning systems, airlines can refine their fuel consumption forecasts. This ensures that flight planners are working with the most accurate data available, helping prevent excess fuel loading or insufficient fuel reserves.

 

Improving Operational Efficiency

Fuel optimization doesn’t stop at reducing fuel consumption; it also enhances overall operational efficiency. By analyzing factors like weather patterns, historical data, and air traffic conditions, airlines can make real-time adjustments that further reduce fuel burn and improve on-time performance. Continuous feedback ensures that the flight planning system is constantly updated with the latest information, enabling airlines to make informed decisions and adapt their operations accordingly. This results in smoother operations, improved punctuality, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

 

Cost Savings

The feedback also brings significant cost-saving benefits to airlines. Accurate fuel burn calculations enable airlines to optimize fuel uplifts, avoiding unnecessary fuel expenses. Moreover, the precise analysis of fuel consumption patterns allows airlines to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to reduce fuel consumption further. These cost savings can be channeled towards investments like new technologies, fleet expansion, employee training, or passenger services, ultimately enhancing the overall competitiveness of the airline.

 

Compliance with Regulations

Fuel optimization strategies and continuous feedback to flight planning systems also help airlines comply with ever-evolving environmental regulations. Accurate fuel burn calculations and optimized routes help airlines demonstrate a commitment to reducing emissions, meeting regulatory standards, and avoiding penalties.

 

More Than Just Cost Savings

Fuel optimization is more than just a cost-saving measure for airlines—it is a critical component of achieving sustainability, operational efficiency, and compliance with environmental regulations. By continuously feeding back operational data into flight planning systems, airlines can refine fuel burn calculations, reduce unnecessary fuel expenses, and improve overall operational performance. Embracing these strategies positions airlines to be more competitive, environmentally responsible, and future-ready in the evolving aviation landscape.

 

The Modern Paperless Cockpit: Enhancing Efficiency with CrewBriefing

The aviation industry has embraced a digital transformation, with the paperless cockpit emerging as a revolutionary concept that has streamlined operations and enhanced the pilot experience. Moving away from paper-based methods, modern cockpits benefit from electronic solutions to simplify workflows, improve situational awareness, and decrease pilot workload. AIR SUPPORT’s CrewBriefing provides pilots and other crew members with comprehensive digital briefing packages that seamlessly integrate into daily flight operations.

This article explores the benefits of embracing the paperless cockpit and how integrated solutions further enhance this concept.

 

The Concept of the Paperless Cockpit

The shift to a paperless cockpit represents a significant evolution in aviation operations. By replacing bulky physical documents with intuitive electronic interfaces, airlines benefit from:

• Streamlined Operations: Digital solutions consolidate critical information into easily accessible formats.
• Improved Accuracy: Real-time updates ensure pilots have the most current data.
• Reduced Workload: Automated systems reduce manual tasks, allowing pilots to focus on flying.

 

Benefits of CrewBriefing: Simplifying Workflows

CrewBriefing by AIR SUPPORT has redefined how flight information is delivered to pilots and other crew members, offering a centralized platform for critical data. Below are the key advantages.

1. Streamlined Briefing Process

Gone are the days of shuffling through stacks of paper and multiple sources for flight information. CrewBriefing consolidates:

• Flight plans
• NOTAMs
• Weather data
• Route specific weather charts
• Company documents
• General declarations (gendec)

By centralizing this information into a single, user-friendly platform, pilots can efficiently prepare for flights, reducing the risk of oversight and saving valuable time.

 

2. Enhanced Situational Awareness

With detailed briefings, pilots stay informed about evolving conditions, such as:

• Weather changes
• Operational notices (Official NOTAMs as well as Company NOTAMs)

This heightened awareness enables proactive decision-making, enhancing flight safety and efficiency.

 

READ ALSO: Free Route Airspace: A New Era in Flight Planning

 

3. Customizable and Scalable Solutions

CrewBriefing adapts to airlines of all sizes and operational models, offering:

• Customizable interfaces to align with specific airline procedures.
• Scalability to meet the needs of small regional carriers, start-ups, and large national airlines alike.

 

Seamless Integration with EFB Providers

AIR SUPPORT’s CrewBriefing is designed to integrate freely with various Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) providers, enabling airlines and operators to customize their workflows to suit their specific operational needs. All CrewBriefing components are available via webservice for integration with EFB providers to connect and receive all briefing data, ensuring seamless access to essential flight information.

The integration enables the smooth transfer of briefing data, ensuring that pilots and dispatchers can work with their preferred tools while maintaining consistency in operational data.

For a full list of available integrations and partners, visit our integrators and partners page.

 

Runway Analysis Integrations

CrewBriefing supports integration with various Runway Analysis System providers to enhance flight safety and operational efficiency. This allows users to calculate takeoff and landing performance based on real-time conditions, optimize fuel planning, and ensure precise aircraft performance calculations. These integrations help airlines meet regulatory requirements while improving decision-making and overall flight operations.

 

Additional Integrations for a Holistic Workflow

Beyond EFB and Runway Analysis integrations, CrewBriefing also connects with key aviation service providers to ensure a seamless digital ecosystem.

• Charts System Providers – View up-to-date navigation charts and approach plates through e.g. Lido mPilot for accurate flight planning.
• Flight Data Monitoring Providers - Automatically sync flight data with Flight Data Monitoring platforms to support analysis and post-flight reviews.
• Flight Safety & Risk Management - Enhance your Safety Management System with real-time data and operational insights.
• And many more - Explore the network of integrators that work seamlessly with CrewBriefing to support your workflows and operational goals.

By offering flexible and user-friendly integrations, CrewBriefing ensures that pilots and dispatchers can access all the critical data they need—when and where they need it.

 

READ ALSO: Incorporating Real-Time Risk Management into an Airline Integrated OCC (IOCC)

 

 

Integration with PPS Flight Planning®

A standout feature of CrewBriefing is its complimentary (free of charge) availability for PPS Flight Planning customers. By integrating directly with PPS Flight Planning, CrewBriefing enhances the overall flight planning process. This integration simplifies workflows, reduces operational complexity, and delivers a unified solution that benefits airlines globally.

 

A Future-Ready Cockpit

The adoption of the paperless cockpit, supported by cutting-edge tools like CrewBriefing and its integrating partners, marks a transformative step for aviation. By combining automation, integration, and real-time data access, AIR SUPPORT empowers airlines to reduce pilot workload, enhance situational awareness, and improve operational efficiency.

With the complimentary integration of CrewBriefing for PPS Flight Planning customers, airlines are well-equipped to embrace a more sustainable, efficient, and forward-thinking approach to aviation operations. The paperless cockpit isn’t just a trend—it’s the future of flight.

 

 

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Free Route Airspace: A New Era in Flight Planning

The concept of free route airspace is not new. While the terminology may differ – free route airspace, user preferred route, random route – it has been used in oceanic airspace for years before the transition to continental airspace. While the United States had implemented their version of random routing (High Altitude Routing (HAR)) and Canada had permitted random routing for eligible polar flights in the early-2000s, Europe can be credited with bringing the concept of free route airspace to a global scale. Portugal was the first country within the EU to implement Free Route Airspace (FRA) in 2009, and EU 2021/116 has required all EU-member states to adopt FRA by the end of 2025.

 

Benefits and Strategic Goals of FRA

For a start-up, laying a strong operational foundation is essential to compete in the market and achieve sustainable growth. PPS Flight Planning supports this by automating processes and providing tools that optimize efficiency across the whole flight operations.

 

Automated Flight Planning and Dispatch

The design of free route airspace entails the eventual removal of the ATS network and installation of unpublished DCTs between a fixed set of waypoints. These waypoints designated as FIR or FRA boundary waypoints are considered as entry or exit points which funnel traffic by fixed waypoints in or out of an airspace. Waypoints within the FRA can be designated as intermediate points allowing connections between various points within the FRA but also to departure or arrival waypoints used to SID/STAR purposes. Despite the various designators, the intent of the airspace design is to allow enough waypoints to connect to in order to allow increased optimization while not allowing every potential waypoint to limit the exponential number of connections. By doing so, it was expected to increase route efficiency while decreasing congestion and delays.

 

 

Challenges and Operational Complexities

With the introduction of FRA, it became evident that the ‘free’ airspace reduced predictability and permitted flights to areas within the airspace that were previously not flown. This resulted in a number of new preventative measures being created by various ANSPs to mitigate this. No Planning Zones were introduced to prevent flights from being planned in airspace that was historically off-limits in an ATS environment. In the early days of FRA, it was found that DCTs were being created between two waypoints in a single FIR, but would overfly an adjacent FIR’s airspace. Thus, regulations were created to prevent the use of border clipping, thereby requiring a flight to stay X-number of nautical miles away from the FIR boundary. This distance varies between ANSP; however, the intent remains the same – keep the flight in a single FIR to prevent unnecessary handovers between Controllers.

Of course, the RAD is the most obvious complexity with an increase in RAD, new RAD concepts, and utilization to create traffic flow. It can be argued that the RAD is used extensively in some states to mimic the former ATS network through the utilization of dependent-applicability RAD requirements. More recently, GATE RADs have been created to force traffic between specific waypoints as a means to/from aerodromes.

Finally, there are differences within Europe between the block of FRA airspace and the activation times of the FRA. The result is that a flight at a specified cruising altitude may switch between FRA and ATS airspace depending on how low the FRA floor is of a particular FIR. The same applies to FRA applicability time. Newer state implementations often begin with FRA overnight and during weekends. Outside of these hours, FRA is not permitted. This results in inconsistent flight plan routes deviating between FRA and ATS segments.

 

Implications for CFSP Systems

The impact to CFSPs differs between each company.  In order to remain compliant and to provide airlines with the optimal route, CFSPs have had to remain abreast of the nuances enacted by different ANSP implementation schemes.  This results in FRA-specific databases being created to specify the permitted actions to be taken in that particular FRA airspace.  These actions include considerations of:

• DCT leg distance or time
• Waypoint type selection
• FRA FL block and activation times

The result is increased computational requirement on the CFSP system to account for the unique requirements as well as the exponentially large number of DCT combinations that could be created amongst waypoints.  From an end-user standpoint, this would appear to be the system taking longer to provide a route as the system has to consider all potential connections.  To alleviate the impact to airlines, CFSPs have introduced their own methodology.  These introductions include:

• Creating fixed DCTs
• Limiting the number of waypoints to consider
• Narrowing the airspace to search for routes

Ultimately, these mitigations go against the intention of FRA and the CFSP must strike a balance between providing optimal routes while enabling the dispatcher to properly build and manage the flight.

 

Source: EUROCONTROL

 

The Future of Free Route Airspace

While EU 2021/116 mandates all EU member states to implement FRA by December 31, 2025, many states have moved beyond that and are now introducing cross-border FRA. This allows for much longer DCT segments without using a FIR boundary point. Operationally, this would appear to be quite efficient; however, from a flight planning optimization standpoint, the opposite is true. Short DCT segments allow for greater optimization to account for weather, winds, airspace constraints, etc.

Globally, the concept is being adopted. Post-COVID, Australia allowed free route airspace through their Off-Airway Route Plan. The United Arab Emirates introduced FRA in 2024. Mongolia has held a FRA workshop exploring the implementation.

As the industry seeks to remove complexity, embrace new routing options, and have a focus on optimized routes, it is anticipated that more states will move to implement FRA. Europe has provided an example to the world for others to follow.

 

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