What does the term "air traffic flow management" refer to?

The term "air traffic flow management" refers to the comprehensive process of managing the movement of all air traffic within a designated airspace to enhance safety and efficiency. This encompasses various strategies and practices aimed at balancing demand with available airspace capacity, ensuring that aircraft can move safely and predictably through busy air corridors. By optimizing traffic flow, air traffic flow management minimizes delays, enhances the safety of flight operations, and improves the overall efficiency of the aviation system.

This concept is critical in addressing the challenges faced by air traffic controllers and airline operations, particularly during peak travel times or adverse weather conditions, where demand for airspace can exceed the available capacity. The focus is on maintaining orderly traffic patterns, reducing congestion, and facilitating smoother transitions for aircraft during their flights.