AVTECH is participating in two Swedish research projects aimed at making aviation cleaner and more efficient: Friendly TMA and CONTRA. Both are funded by the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) and run from 2025 to 2028. Together, they tackle two of modern air traffic management's most pressing challenges, inefficient arrival flows and the climate impact of contrails.
Today, aircraft typically follow fixed arrival routes that were designed for predictability, not efficiency. The result is unnecessary fuel burn, avoidable delays, and higher emissions.
Friendly TMA sets out to change this by developing dynamic Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs) that automatically adapt in real time to traffic, weather, and airspace conditions. Rather than following a predetermined path, aircraft would follow routes that flex around real-world constraints. including overcapacity situations and partial airspace closures. without compromising safety.
The project will validate these tools directly with air traffic controllers and pilots to ensure they meet operational needs. Linköping University contributes advanced algorithms for optimized arrival sequencing.
Contrails, the thin ice clouds that form behind aircraft at altitude, .are an increasingly recognized climate concern, with some studies suggesting their short-term warming effect can exceed that of CO₂. Project CONTRA takes a systematic look at contrail formation and develops strategies to reduce their impact without creating unacceptable trade-offs in safety or efficiency.
The project begins by quantifying contrail-forming flights in Swedish airspace, then broadens its scope to European and global comparisons. Expert workshops will bring together specialists in meteorology, air traffic management, and flight operations to inform the development of mathematical models that weigh environmental gains against operational costs such as additional emissions, capacity reductions, and potential delays. The project will also examine economic incentive mechanisms to encourage airlines and air navigation service providers to adopt greener routing decisions.
CONTRA is a joint effort between AVTECH Sweden, Linköping University, and LFV, Sweden's Air Navigation Service Provider.
Both projects draw on AVTECH's technology platform, which currently supports more than 2,200 commercial jet aircraft worldwide. Linköping University brings algorithmic expertise in optimized arrival flows, while LFV contributes deep operational experience in airspace management. By connecting research, operations, and technology, these two projects represent a meaningful step toward an aviation system where efficiency and environmental responsibility reinforce each other rather than compete.
"AVTECH is committed to driving innovation that makes aviation smarter, cleaner, and more predictable. Our involvement in Friendly TMA and CONTRA reflects our dedication to sustainability and collaboration across the aviation industry."
David Rytter - AVTECH CEO
