IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jaitra/v131y2026ics0969699725001966.html

Real-Time aircraft conflict detection and trajectory optimisation for emergency weather management in terminal manoeuvring areas

Author

Listed:
  • Yang, Huijuan
  • Delahaye, Daniel
  • Huo, Ying

Abstract

This study presents a real-time framework for aircraft conflict detection and trajectory optimisation in Terminal Manoeuvring Areas (TMAs) during emergency weather events. The proposed approach integrates wake turbulence separation, node and link conflict evaluation, and dynamic operational constraints to ensure safe and efficient traffic flow under severe weather disruptions. Departing from conventional offline resolution methods, an enhanced Selective Simulated Annealing (SSA) algorithm is introduced to enable online conflict detection and mitigation in rapidly changing conditions. The framework is validated through a case study at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) TMA. A historical dataset of 451 arrival flights over an 8-hour period is duplicated to create a high-density scenario with 902 flights, allowing robust evaluation of scalability and responsiveness under significant traffic and weather stress. Results show that the SSA algorithm achieves minimal route extensions (0.11% on average) in thunderstorm conditions compared to clear weather, while maintaining delay reductions and operational stability. Sensitivity analyses on slot shift ranges and decision strategies confirm the framework’s resilience, and simulated runway blockages demonstrate the role of holding stacks in mitigating conflicts during single-runway closures. By integrating conflict detection with real-time trajectory optimisation, this research offers Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) a practical decision-support tool to enhance safety, efficiency, and resilience in emergency weather operations within TMAs.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Huijuan & Delahaye, Daniel & Huo, Ying, 2026. "Real-Time aircraft conflict detection and trajectory optimisation for emergency weather management in terminal manoeuvring areas," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaitra:v:131:y:2026:i:c:s0969699725001966
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102933
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969699725001966
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102933?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ribeiro, Nuno Antunes & Jacquillat, Alexandre & Antunes, António Pais & Odoni, Amedeo, 2019. "Improving slot allocation at Level 3 airports," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 32-54.
    2. Jardines, Aniel & Soler, Manuel & García-Heras, Javier, 2021. "Estimating entry counts and ATFM regulations during adverse weather conditions using machine learning," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    3. Brun, Alexis & Feron, Eric & Alam, Sameer & Delahaye, Daniel, 2025. "Schedule optimization and staff allocation for airport security checkpoints using guided simulated annealing and integer linear programming," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    4. Dal Sasso, Veronica & Djeumou Fomeni, Franklin & Lulli, Guglielmo & Zografos, Konstantinos G., 2019. "Planning efficient 4D trajectories in Air Traffic Flow Management," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 276(2), pages 676-687.
    5. Yang, Huijuan & Buire, Clara & Delahaye, Daniel & Le, Meilong, 2024. "A heuristic-based multi-objective flight schedule generation framework for airline connectivity optimisation in bank structure: An empirical study on Air China in Chengdu," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    6. Daniel Delahaye & Supatcha Chaimatanan & Marcel Mongeau, 2019. "Simulated Annealing: From Basics to Applications," International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, in: Michel Gendreau & Jean-Yves Potvin (ed.), Handbook of Metaheuristics, edition 3, chapter 0, pages 1-35, Springer.
    7. Yang, Huijuan & Delahaye, Daniel & O’Connell, John Frankie & Le, Meilong, 2024. "Enhancing airline connectivity: An optimisation approach for flight scheduling in multi-hub networks with bank structures," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yang, Huijuan & Delahaye, Daniel & O’Connell, John Frankie & Le, Meilong, 2024. "Enhancing airline connectivity: An optimisation approach for flight scheduling in multi-hub networks with bank structures," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    2. Yang, Huijuan & Buire, Clara & Delahaye, Daniel & Le, Meilong, 2024. "A heuristic-based multi-objective flight schedule generation framework for airline connectivity optimisation in bank structure: An empirical study on Air China in Chengdu," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    3. Berktas, Nihal & Zografos, Konstantinos G., 2025. "Generic model for capacity allocation on transportation terminals," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    4. Man Xu & Minghua Hu & Yi Zhou & Wenhao Ding & Qiuqi Wu, 2022. "Multi-Aircraft Cooperative Strategic Trajectory-Planning Method Considering Wind Forecast Uncertainty," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-28, August.
    5. Du, Sen & Zhong, Gang & Wang, Fei & Wu, Lingxiao & Zhang, Honghai & Xue, Dabin, 2025. "A framework for collaborative UAM traffic flow optimization with mission preferences: Incorporating customized strategy synergy into strategic conflict management," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    6. Wandelt, Sebastian & Signori, Andrea & Chang, Shuming & Wang, Shuang & Du, Zhuoming & Sun, Xiaoqian, 2025. "Unleashing the potential of operations research in air transport: A review of applications, methods, and challenges," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    7. Rachida Benfedel & Fayçal Belkaid & Nadjib Brahimi, 2025. "Production and distribution planning with direct shipment and multi-trips," Post-Print hal-05059003, HAL.
    8. Marco Alderighi & Peter Nijkamp, 2025. "New Heuristics for Connecting Flight Capacity Allocation– A Theory-Based Framework," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 25(4), pages 1039-1062, December.
    9. Picard, Pierre M. & Tampieri, Alessandro & Wan, Xi, 2025. "Liberalization and efficiency in slot-constrained airports," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 14-26.
    10. Wang, Jianda & Wu, Xiangru & Yang, Senmiao & Wang, Kun & Fu, Xiaowen, 2025. "Navigating green routes: How does air connectivity influence environmental information disclosure quality?," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    11. Lee, Hyun-Suk, 2024. "Automated tariff design for energy supply–demand matching based on Bayesian optimization: Technical framework and policy implications," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    12. Wandelt, Sebastian & Sun, Xiaoqian & Zhang, Anming, 2023. "AI-driven assistants for education and research? A case study on ChatGPT for air transport management," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    13. Wael Korani & Malek Mouhoub, 2021. "Review on Nature-Inspired Algorithms," SN Operations Research Forum, Springer, vol. 2(3), pages 1-26, September.
    14. Jorge, Diana & Antunes Ribeiro, Nuno & Pais Antunes, António, 2021. "Towards a decision-support tool for airport slot allocation: Application to Guarulhos (Sao Paulo, Brazil)," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    15. repec:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:i:11:p:7932-7941 is not listed on IDEAS
    16. Pouget, Lilian & Ribeiro, Nuno Antunes & Odoni, Amedeo R. & Antunes, António Pais, 2023. "How do airlines react to slot displacements? Evidence from a major airport," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    17. Katsigiannis, Fotios A. & Zografos, Konstantinos G., 2021. "Optimising airport slot allocation considering flight-scheduling flexibility and total airport capacity constraints," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 50-87.
    18. Katsigiannis, Fotios A. & Zografos, Konstantinos G., 2023. "Incorporating slot valuation in making airport slot scheduling decisions," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 308(1), pages 436-454.
    19. Jamie Fairbrother & Konstantinos G. Zografos & Kevin D. Glazebrook, 2020. "A Slot-Scheduling Mechanism at Congested Airports that Incorporates Efficiency, Fairness, and Airline Preferences," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 54(1), pages 115-138, January.
    20. Wang, Jiong & Mingshen, Jiang & Zhang, Pin & Liu, Qunsheng & Zhang, Shuqing & Wang, Ke & Li, Chong & Cai, Junmeng, 2024. "Elucidating kinetic mechanisms of lignin and biomass pyrolysis by distributed activation energy model with genetic algorithm," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    21. Zeng, Weili & Xu, Changxing & Shu, Xiang & Chen, Xinyuan & Wei, Wenbin, 2025. "A novel slot optimization model for congested airports integrating IATA priority and operational priority," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jaitra:v:131:y:2026:i:c:s0969699725001966. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-air-transport-management/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.