Quantifying Vertical Descent Inefficiencies for Arrivals in Constrained Airspace: A Case Study at Schiphol Airport
J.A.J. Huigen (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
J. Ellerbroek – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Operations & Environment)
M.J. Ribeiro – Mentor (TU Delft - Operations & Environment)
J. Sun – Mentor (TU Delft - Operations & Environment)
Ferdinand Dijkstra – Mentor (KDC mainport Schiphol)
P. Proesmans – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Operations & Environment)
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Abstract
Continuous Descent Operations (CDOs) can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. However, their implementation in constrained airspace is often limited by operational procedures and altitude restrictions. Previous studies have evaluated CDO performance under idealised conditions, resulting in insufficient quantification of the effects of real operational constraints. This study investigates how operational constraints on arrival routes influence aircraft vertical descent profiles and the resulting fuel consumption. A framework is introduced that is capable of quantifying fuel consumption across different descent trajectories. The simulation-based framework enables the analysis of incremental modifications to operational restrictions, including changes to level-off altitude and duration. The methodology is applied to arrival traffic at Schiphol Airport, using a dataset of over 8,000 recorded arrivals from the Aircraft Condition Monitoring System (ACMS) and one month of Eurocontrol Demand Data Repository (DDR) traffic data. Level-off segments between Top of Descent (TOD) and the Initial Approach Fix (IAF) are identified and linked to waypoint-based restrictions specified in Letters of Agreement (LoAs) and the Route Availability Document (RAD). The BlueSky air traffic simulator and the Base of Aircraft Data (BADA) 3.16 performance model are used to quantify the fuel impact of modified descent scenarios. The results show a clear relationship between level-off duration, altitude constraints, and fuel consumption. Higher level-off altitudes and shorter durations consistently reduce fuel burn. Regression analysis of recorded flights confirms these trends. A Key Performance Indicator (KPI) based route assessment identifies arrival routes with the greatest potential to reduce fuel consumption, while taking into account operational complexity. The findings show that measurable fuel savings can be achieved through targeted adjustments in airspace restrictions without requiring a complete redesign of the airspace.