El Dorado International Airport has become the first in Latin America to implement the Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) system, developed jointly by airport operator OPAIN and tech company SITA. This advanced platform enhances coordination among airlines, ground staff, and air traffic control by enabling real-time data sharing.

The A-CDM system improves the accuracy of aircraft turnaround predictions, allowing for more efficient use of airport resources and better slot allocation. This, in turn, helps reduce delays, minimize fuel consumption, and boost on-time performance.

“This rapid growth brings significant challenges in maintaining operational efficiency and punctuality,” said Natali Leal, director of OPAIN. “Implementing the A-CDM system enables us to tackle these issues directly through better coordination among all stakeholders. This collaborative approach is key to enhancing the passenger experience and ensuring our growth remains sustainable.”

The solution integrates several SITA-developed tools, including the Pre-Departure Sequencer (PDS), Airport Management System (AMS), and Operations Manager, all aimed at improving real-time planning and operational control.

“Regional air traffic is expected to reach 773 million passengers by the end of 2024, a 5.5% increase from the previous year, according to ACI-LAC,” stated Shawn Gregor, SITA’s President for the Americas. “There’s a pressing need for solutions that strengthen efficiency and resilience. Technologies like A-CDM are essential for meeting these demands, helping airports optimize operations, reduce environmental impact, and enhance overall travel experience. Supporting El Dorado in setting a new standard for airport management is a major step forward for both the airport and the region.”

In Europe, where the system is already in use, A-CDM has reduced annual fuel consumption by approximately 360,000 kilograms and cut delays by around 2,000 minutes. It has also improved taxi times and pre-departure planning, making airport operations more predictable.

EUROCONTROL reports that the discrepancy between scheduled and actual departure times has dropped from 14 minutes to between 5 and 7 minutes under the A-CDM model, enabling more efficient airspace traffic flow. The system can also boost flight management efficiency in congested areas by up to 3.5% and unlock as much as 80% of latent operational capacity.

Currently, El Dorado connects Bogotá to 108 destinations and is advancing the “El Dorado Max” expansion project, which aims to raise its capacity to 65 million passengers annually, reinforcing its role as a key hub for regional air connectivity.