Our History

Founded in 1995, Metron Aviation pioneered the advancement of Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) research and is recognized for its proven track record in deploying and supporting world-class ATFM systems. Flight Schedule Monitor (FSM), which was developed by Metron Aviation and deployed system-wide in 1999, is an integral part of traffic management for the FAA’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) and over 100 other FAA facilities, as well as NAV CANADA and 24 domestic and international airlines. Metron Aviation’s ATFM solutions continue to deliver return on investment by eliminating delays, reducing fuel burn, and improving efficiency—worldwide.
In 2011, Metron Aviation was acquired by Airbus, thereby growing the company’s partnership with international stakeholders and providing access to the latest avionics and aircraft technologies. With partners and customers on six continents, Metron Aviation is solving the toughest challenges in the aviation industry.

Today, Metron Aviation is a leader in Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems worldwide. Air traffic flow challenges are ever-changing, but with Metron Aviation’s customized solutions in ATM and ATFM, global customers and partners can proactively plan for and meet the challenges.

Innovation

Metron Aviation’s mission and focus is to fulfill our customer’s requirements with innovative solutions that support their situational awareness. With its team of some of the brightest minds in science and math, and industry-leading technology experts, Metron Aviation has continually provided cutting-edge solutions since 1995.

Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO)

Global Predictability in a Pandemic

CANSO-Metron COVID-19 Recovery Program of 2020

Provided free access to Metron Aviation’s Horizon System to ANSPs worldwide. The COVID Recovery plan included Metron Aviation online training and technical support. Supporting this were FlightAware, for flight data services and AvFinity, Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network data.

Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO)

Long Range ATFM

Airservices Australia – Long Range

Created a concept for control of long-haul international traffic to increase arrival predictability, using Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM).

Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO)

First Commercial Multi-Nodal ATFM System

CAAS Singapore – Operational System

First commercially deployed operational system for the multi-nodal regional Air Traffic Flow Management concept in South East Asia.

Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO)

South Korea and Metron Partner

South Korea – Harmony System

Converted Harmony System into an Air Traffic Flow Management engine and partnered with local South Korean company to have a custom South Korean user interface developed and integrated with the Harmony engine.

Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO)

Launch of Horizon System

Dutch Caribbean – ATFM Award

Horizon System launch, Air Traffic Management (ATM) solution that provides common situational awareness for monitoring air traffic demand and capacity.

Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO)

China ATMB ATFM CONOPS

ATMB China ATFM Integration Award

Created a concept for a national level ATFM system for Air Traffic Management Bureau China that is integrated with the existing regional solutions.

Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO)

Regional ATFM CONOPS

CAAS Regional – ATFM Research

CAAS, Singapore and Metron Aviation work to create a regional ATFM concept of operations the APAC region. The concept developed a distributed multi-nodal cross-border cooperation adopted by ICAO (Asia/Pacific Regional Air Traffic Flow Management Concept of Operations).

Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO)

First Commercial Deployment of Harmony System

Airservices Australia and Metron Aviation Launch Harmony System

First long-term commercial deployment for Harmony System.

FIFA World Cup – Major Event Management

South Africa 2010

First international commercial deployment of Air Traffic Flow Management system by Metron Aviation for the Federation Internationale Football Association (FIFA).

Departure Flow Management

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – Departure Flow Management

Automated the APREQ process for departure management.

Creation of Targeted Airspace ATFM Measure

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – Airspace Flow Programs

Created an Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) measure to scope, or limit, delay impact to the actual enroute constraint such as severe weather. Flights not filed to travel through the constrained area are not delayed.

Predictive Arrival & Gate Information

FedEx – Surface Management

Initial surface management system deployed for FedEx, Memphis, Tennessee for managing surface operations.

Airline to Airline Slot Swapping

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – CDM Slot Credit Substitutions

Created a mechanism for blind slot swapping between airlines that prevented collusion and increased efficiency of capacity use.

ATM Analytics – Reduced Fuel Burn Increased Performance

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – Post-Operations Analysis Tool (POET)

First system-wide Air Traffic Management (ATM) analytics platform, POET, for the FAA to assess ATM efficiency. Airlines used the tool to evaluate airline efficiency which resulted in a dramatic reduction of fuel costs.

Birth of ATFM in USA

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – Flight Schedule Monitor Prototype

First prototype of Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) software for the FAA showing demand and capacity balancing for arrivals at airports. First implementation of the Ground Delay Program.

Connect with Metron Aviation

If you have questions, just let us know. Our Business Development team will gladly answer any questions to help you learn about and select the solution that best meets your requirements.

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