Key Takeaways
• El Dorado Airport launched Latin America’s first A-CDM system on May 22, 2025, enhancing regional airport operations.
• The A-CDM system reduces delays, cuts fuel use, and improves coordination among airlines, controllers, and ground staff.
• European A-CDM use cuts 360,000 kg fuel annually and reduces delays by 2,000 minutes per year.
El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia, has set a new benchmark for airport operations in Latin America by becoming the first airport in the region to implement the Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) system. This major step forward was officially announced on May 22, 2025, and marks a turning point not just for El Dorado, but for the entire Latin American aviation sector. The move comes at a time when air travel in the region is growing rapidly, and airports are under increasing pressure to handle more flights, more passengers, and higher expectations for efficiency and sustainability.
What is the A-CDM System and Why Does It Matter?
The A-CDM system, or Airport Collaborative Decision Making, is a set of tools and processes that help airports, airlines, ground handlers, and air traffic controllers work together more closely. The main goal is to share real-time information so everyone involved in airport operations can make better decisions, faster. This leads to fewer delays, better use of airport resources, and a smoother experience for passengers.
At El Dorado International Airport, the A-CDM system was developed through a partnership between OPAIN, the airport’s operator, and SITA, a global leader in air transport technology. This partnership brought together local knowledge and international expertise to create a system tailored to the unique needs of Latin America’s busiest airport.
How Does the A-CDM System Work at El Dorado?
The A-CDM system at El Dorado International Airport is built on several advanced tools developed by SITA:
- Pre-Departure Sequencer (PDS): This tool helps organize the order in which planes leave the airport. By planning departures more carefully, the airport can reduce waiting times and avoid traffic jams on the runway.
- Airport Management System (AMS): This system brings together all the information about what’s happening at the airport, from flight schedules to ground crew activities. It helps everyone stay on the same page.
- Operations Manager: This tool allows airport staff to plan and control operations in real time, making it easier to respond to changes or unexpected events.
These tools work together to create a single, shared view of airport operations. Airlines, ground handlers, and air traffic controllers can all see the same information, which helps them coordinate their actions and avoid mistakes or misunderstandings.
Why Is This Important for Passengers and Airlines?
The benefits of the A-CDM system are clear and wide-ranging. For passengers, the most noticeable improvements are fewer delays and a more predictable travel experience. For airlines and airport staff, the system means better use of resources, less wasted time, and lower costs.
Some of the main benefits include:
- Reduced Aircraft Delays: By sharing information and planning together, the airport can avoid bottlenecks that cause planes to wait on the ground.
- Decreased Fuel Consumption: Planes that spend less time taxiing or waiting to take off use less fuel, which saves money and helps the environment.
- Improved On-Time Performance: Flights are more likely to leave and arrive as scheduled, which is important for both passengers and airlines.
- Better Use of Ground Resources: Ground crews can plan their work more efficiently, reducing idle time and making sure planes are ready to go when needed.
- More Accurate Forecasting: The system helps everyone predict what will happen next, making it easier to plan for busy periods or unexpected changes.
A Proven System with Results from Europe
While El Dorado International Airport is the first in Latin America to use the A-CDM system, the technology has already been tested and proven at major airports in Europe. The results there have been impressive:
- Annual Fuel Savings: Airports using A-CDM have saved about 360,000 kilograms of fuel each year.
- Fewer Delays: Delays have dropped by around 2,000 minutes per year.
- Shorter Taxi Times: Planes spend over 26,300 fewer minutes taxiing on the ground each year.
- More Accurate Take-Off Times: The difference between scheduled and actual departure times has shrunk from 14 minutes to just 5-7 minutes on average.
EUROCONTROL, the European air traffic management organization, has also found that A-CDM allows air traffic controllers to handle up to 3.5% more flights in crowded airspace. This means airports can serve more passengers without needing to build new runways or terminals.
Why Now? The Regional Context
The timing of this upgrade at El Dorado International Airport is no accident. Air travel in Latin America is booming. According to the Airports Council International – Latin America and Caribbean (ACI-LAC), regional air traffic is expected to reach 773 million passengers by the end of 2024, a 5.5% increase over the previous year. This rapid growth puts pressure on airports to handle more flights safely and efficiently.
Natali Leal, CEO of OPAIN, explained, “El Dorado has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, positioning us as one of Latin America’s busiest airports. This rapid expansion brings challenges in maintaining operational efficiency and punctuality.” The A-CDM system is OPAIN’s answer to these challenges, helping the airport keep up with demand while maintaining high standards for safety and service.
Stakeholder Perspectives: Why Collaboration Matters
The success of the A-CDM system depends on close cooperation between all the groups involved in airport operations. This includes airlines, ground handlers, air traffic controllers, and airport management. Each group brings its own expertise and priorities, but the A-CDM system helps them work together toward common goals.
Natali Leal, CEO of OPAIN, highlighted the importance of this teamwork: “Implementing the A-CDM system allows us to address these challenges head-on by having better coordination among all stakeholders. This collaborative approach is essential for strengthening the passenger experience and making sure our growth is sustainable.”
Shawn Gregor, President of SITA Americas, added, “Technologies like A-CDM are key in meeting these demands, allowing airports to optimize operations, reduce environmental impact, and improve the overall travel experience. Supporting El Dorado in setting a new standard for airport management is a big step for both the airport and the region as a whole.”
Environmental Impact: A Greener Way to Fly
One of the most important benefits of the A-CDM system is its positive impact on the environment. By reducing the time planes spend taxiing and waiting on the ground, the system helps cut down on fuel use and carbon emissions. This is good news for both the airport and the planet.
The main environmental benefits include:
- Lower Fuel Use: Less time on the ground means planes burn less fuel.
- Reduced Carbon Emissions: Using less fuel means releasing fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
- Better Use of Resources: The system helps the airport use its equipment and staff more efficiently, reducing waste.
These improvements are in line with global efforts to make aviation more sustainable and reduce its impact on climate change. As reported by VisaVerge.com, airports around the world are under increasing pressure to find ways to cut emissions and operate more responsibly.
Setting a New Standard for Latin America
El Dorado International Airport’s adoption of the A-CDM system is likely to have a ripple effect across the region. Other major airports in Latin America are watching closely and may soon follow suit. The success of the system at El Dorado could encourage more airports to invest in similar technology, raising the standard for airport management throughout the region.
This move also positions El Dorado as a leader in airport innovation. By being the first to implement A-CDM in Latin America, the airport is showing that it is ready to meet the challenges of the future and provide a better experience for passengers and airlines alike.
What Does This Mean for Travelers and Airlines?
For travelers, the changes at El Dorado International Airport should mean a smoother, more reliable journey. Fewer delays, more accurate departure times, and better communication between airport staff all add up to a better travel experience.
For airlines, the benefits are just as clear. More efficient operations mean lower costs, less wasted time, and happier customers. Airlines can also plan their schedules more accurately, which helps them make the most of their fleets and staff.
Ground handlers and airport staff also stand to gain. With better information and clearer communication, they can do their jobs more effectively and respond more quickly to changes or problems.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Airport Operations in Latin America
The successful implementation of the A-CDM system at El Dorado International Airport is just the beginning. As air travel continues to grow in Latin America, other airports will need to find ways to handle more flights and passengers without sacrificing safety or service.
The A-CDM system offers a proven solution. By bringing together all the key players and sharing real-time information, airports can make better decisions, use their resources more wisely, and provide a better experience for everyone involved.
As more airports in the region adopt this technology, travelers can expect to see improvements across the board: fewer delays, more reliable schedules, and a more comfortable journey from start to finish.
How Can Other Airports Get Started?
For airports interested in following El Dorado’s lead, the first step is to bring together all the stakeholders—airlines, ground handlers, air traffic controllers, and airport management—and start a conversation about how to improve coordination and information sharing.
Next, airports can look at the tools and systems available, such as those provided by SITA, and decide which ones best fit their needs. It’s important to choose a system that can be tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities at each airport.
Finally, airports should work closely with their partners to plan and implement the new system, making sure everyone is trained and ready to use the new tools effectively.
Official Resources and Further Reading
For more information about airport operations and collaborative decision making, readers can visit the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) official website. This site provides authoritative information on global aviation standards, including best practices for airport management and environmental sustainability.
Conclusion: A Model for the Region
El Dorado International Airport’s implementation of the A-CDM system marks a major milestone for Latin American aviation. By embracing new technology and fostering closer collaboration among all airport stakeholders, El Dorado is setting a new standard for efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
The benefits are clear: fewer delays, lower costs, a better experience for travelers, and a smaller environmental footprint. As air travel continues to grow in the region, the lessons learned at El Dorado will be invaluable for other airports facing similar challenges.
For travelers, airlines, and airport staff, the future looks brighter—and more efficient—thanks to the pioneering work being done at El Dorado International Airport, OPAIN, and their partners. This is a clear example of how smart investments in technology and teamwork can deliver real results for everyone involved in the world of aviation.
Learn Today
A-CDM → Airport Collaborative Decision Making system enabling real-time info sharing among airport operators and stakeholders to optimize operations.
Pre-Departure Sequencer (PDS) → Tool organizing aircraft departure order to reduce runway congestion and waiting times.
Airport Management System (AMS) → System integrating flight schedules and ground operations for coordinated airport management.
EUROCONTROL → European air traffic management agency improving flight efficiency and safety across European airspace.
Taxi Time → Time an aircraft spends moving on the ground between gate and runway before takeoff or after landing.
This Article in a Nutshell
El Dorado International Airport’s new A-CDM system revolutionizes Latin American aviation by cutting delays, fuel use, and boosting real-time collaboration among airport stakeholders for a smoother, greener travel experience.
— By VisaVerge.com
