APAC FF-ICE/R1 Technical Trial hosted by VATM

Hanoi, 06-08 May 2025, the meeting for FF-ICE/R1 Technical Trial under the Asia-Pacific Flight Trajectory Based Operations (TBO) Pathfinder Project was organized at the headquarters of the Viet Nam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM). 
The trial is to have a comprehensive technical review and operational scenario rehearsal for the preparation toward the Flight and Flow Information for Cooperative Environment Release 1 (FF-ICE/R1) Lab Demonstration, which is scheduled to take place during the week of 21 - 25 July 2025, also at the VATM headquarters. 
Around 60 experts from ANSPs including AEROTHAI, AirNav Indonesia, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Federal Aviation Administration of the United States (FAA), Civil Aviation Authority of Hong Kong (HKCAD) and VATM attended the in-person meeting. Representatives from the Japan Civil Aviation Authority (JCAB) and Airways New Zealand joined the meeting virtually.

Four scenarios simulating real-life operational situations were presented and tested. Since FF-ICE operates in the SWIM environment, using data exchange standards such as the FIXM  version 4.3, ANSPs are flexibly involved in different roles in each scenario - based on the practical basis of ensuring their technical and technological infrastructure. During the trial, the interoperability of the systems and the telegram data were displayed accurately, matching the built FF-ICE/R1 scenarios. The active participation of the members contributed to the completion of the trial contents, ensuring readiness for the FF-ICE/R1 Lab Demonstration at the end of July 2025.
On this occasion, VATM and the expert team from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also held the 2nd Program Management Review (2nd PMR) meeting on May 08-09, for the implementation of the Declaration of Intent for Cooperation signed between the two Parties in February 2024. The mutual discussion focused on two major topics including ATFM and FF-ICE. 
For ATFM information exchange, VATM informed of its status as the 3rd level AMNAC member since 11/2024, after 8 years joining the Multi-Nodal ATFM program in the region as an Observer (1st level). The implementation of multi-node ATFM has been implemented at all airports in Vietnam, including 11 international airports. Thanks to the implementation of ATFM measures, the number of holding flights due to weather in 2024 has decreased significantly compared to 2023, despite the increase in total air traffic movements. The specific reduction figures for Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, and Da Nang airports are 47%, 28%, and 35% respectively when comparing 2024 with 2023.

During the 2nd PMR, VATM also had the opportunity to learn FAA’s knowledge and experiences regarding the implementation of FF-ICE. The discussion with FAA experts has provided suggestions for VATM in developing its own roadmap and measures to adapt to the plan of APAC region for FF-ICE release 1 in 2032 and ICAO Flight Plan 2012 cessation targeted for 2034.
VATM’s host for the FF-ICE/R1 Technical trial are among VATM’s efforts to enhance its collaboration with other ANSP in the region. This is one of VATM’s strategic solutions to improve its competency of providing air navigation services, in the context of the growing demand for air traffic in Viet Nam, as well as the Asia Pacific region. 

Vu Uyen