Riga Airport Becomes the First in the Baltics Employing A-CDM Procedures

Riga Airport became the first and so far only airport in the Baltic States to join more then 30 European airports employing A-CDM (Airport Collaborative Decision Making) procedures which allow for significantly improving service quality and safety for airspace users and passengers.

The introduction of A-CDM, which was a joint effort of the air navigation service provider state joint stock company. “Latvijas gaisa satiksme” (LGS) and Riga Airport, ensures timely exchange of accurate information between the airport operator, aircraft operators, ground handling services, air traffic controllers and other parties involved from flight planning until the aircraft lands on the runway. This allows to schedule take-offs with greater precision and reduce waiting times for passengers, especially during peak hours. Furthermore, A-CDM allows airlines to reduce their costs for resources and fuel related to waiting times prior to take-off and preparing aircraft for flight. Reducing the inexpedient operation of aircraft engines also reduces environmental pollution and noise.

By implementing this major project, introducing the complex of operational procedures and automated processes, an A-CDM platform has been established at Riga Airport — appropriate computer hardware and software has been installed, communication resources have been purchased for airport services and other improvements have also been introduced. Software at LGS has also been updated.

“I am very pleased that in collaboration with Riga Airport at this difficult time for aviation, we have managed to complete a large and important project that creates the preconditions for the future development of the airport and flights out of Riga after the end of the pandemic, as well as for improved service quality for passengers and higher flight safety. I would like to thank all of our partners for their cooperation,” says Dāvids Tauriņš, Chairman of the Board of LGS.

In turn, Chair of the Board of Riga Airport Laila Odiņa highlights: “A-CDM is more than just procedures and processes, it is a shift in thinking and working, by integrating the operational services of the airport into the real-time information space and allowing everyone to work as a unified team. Accurate, timely and transparent exchange of information and a common understanding of the situation as a whole allows for sustainable and efficient use of infrastructure and resources, fuel saving for airlines, reduced CO2 emissions and better experiences for travellers.”

The introduction of A-CDM will allow for an increase of the capacity of Riga Airport when the normal flight regime is restored. In autumn of 2016 LGS signed an agreement with the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) on the allocation of co-financing in the amount of 50% of the eligible costs of the A-CDM project. Overall, the project is planed to cost a total of 1,930,000 euros.

The funding was provided by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).