Sustainable Airports Use Collaborative Decision Making
PDC A-CDM
PDC A-CDM enables true airport collaborative decision making, helping airports operate more efficiently, predictably, and sustainably.
A-CDM is a joint initiative in the aviation industry designed to improve the efficiency and predictability of airport operations through real-time information sharing and closer collaboration among all key stakeholders.
Instead of each stakeholder — airlines, airport operators, ground handlers, and air traffic control—working in silos, A-CDM provides a framework where they share accurate, real-time information.
This common situational awareness allows everyone to make more informed decisions and coordinate their actions more effectively – and ultimately optimise the entire turnaround process.
For a small or midsize airport collaborate decision making is not only about local efficiency. It directly supports airlines operating into congested slot-coordinated airports by improving:
- punctuality
- slot adherence
- turnaround reliability
- network predictability
This allows airlines to maintain schedules more effectively and avoid costly disruptions in the wider air traffic network.
See PDC A-CDM in action
See how PDC A-CDM’s user-friendly interface facilitates the exchange of real-time operational information between airports, airlines, ground handlers and air traffic control, supporting better coordination and more predictable turnaround processes.
Why Select PDC A-CDM?
PDC A-CDM provides:
- Reduced delays and bottlenecks
- More efficient use of resources
- Shorter taxi times and less idle time on the ground
- Lower fuel consumption and reduced CO₂ emissions
Not only do you improve operations — you create a smarter, more sustainable airport.
“We needed to think new and visually, which is why Aarhus Airport entered into a collaboration with PDC.”
How to solve common operational challenges with PDC A-CDM?
Limited resources and inefficient utilisation
A-CDM enables real-time data sharing among airlines, ground handlers, and ATC. This allows for more precise planning of ground resources like gates, baggage handling, and staff shifts. Optimising these processes reduces the risk of delays and minimises downtime.
Disconnected communication between stakeholders
A-CDM connects all stakeholders through a single information-sharing platform, improving the flow of real-time data such as estimated landing and off-block times. This reduces the risk of misunderstandings and enhances overall operational coordination.
Irregular operations and delays
During weather-related or technical disruptions, A-CDM helps airports manage recovery operations more efficiently, minimising downtime and reducing the ripple effect of delays.
Passenger experience degrades during disruptions
More efficient coordination of ground services and flights allows you to provide passengers with more accurate, timely information about delays, gate changes, and baggage delivery. This reduces uncertainty and enhances customer satisfaction.
Environmental and regulatory pressures
A-CDM reduces aircraft taxiing time, fuel consumption, and emissions by optimising the flow of aircraft on the ground. This not only supports environmental targets but also leads to direct cost savings on fuel.
Can PDC A-CDM increase airport competitiveness?
We know, airlines value airports that operate efficiently, especially smaller regional hubs.
A-CDM demonstrates a commitment to operational excellence, making your airport more attractive for airline partnerships and potential new routes.
At PDC, we provide scaled solutions. This allows you to adopt key elements of A-CDM that provide the most immediate benefit, such as improved information sharing, departure management, or ground handling optimisation.
Why Airport Collaborative Decision Making matters
A-CDM matters because it transforms how airport stakeholders work together. Instead of making isolated decisions based on incomplete information, all parties gain a shared, real-time view of operations. This improves efficiency, reduces waste, and creates good flying experiences and punctuality for airlines and travelers.
What are the risks of NOT having A-CDM?
Suboptimal gate and stand allocation
Without a common picture of flight arrival and departure times, you might find aircraft occupying gates longer than needed or arrive to find no available gate. Such lack of knowledge can lead to wasted time, fuel burn (while aircraft wait), and frustrated passengers.
Mismanaged Ground Handling
Ground handlers (baggage, catering, refueling, push-back) might be dispatched too early or too late, leading to idle time for staff and equipment, or frantic rushes to catch up. This increases operational costs for all stakeholders and leads to reduced efficiency.
Increased delays and reduced punctuality
Lack of common situational awareness: If each stakeholder operates only based on their own limited view of the overall airport situation. If a delay occurs in one part of the operation (e.g., de-icing, a late passenger, a technical issue) isn’t immediately and transparently communicated to everyone affected, it can create a ripple effect of delays across the airport.
Reactive problem solving
Without A-CDM, issues are often addressed reactively, after they have already escalated. This leads to more significant and widespread disruptions compared to proactive problem-solving.
Limited growth potential
Inefficient operations can make it difficult for an airport to accommodate increasing traffic demand without costly infrastructure expansion.
Less attractive to airlines
Airlines prefer to operate from efficient and predictable airports, so a lack of A-CDM can make you a less competitive airport.
Cloud-based vs On Premises
PDC A-CDM can be delivered as a fully managed hosted SaaS solution, Alternatively, it can be installed and operated on premises.
Airport User Group Meetings
Customers of the PDC AirportSuite are automatically part of the PDC Airport Community, which includes yearly user group meetings.
How it Works
The PDC A-CDM can work as a standalone solution integrating to all your other airport systems or you can combine it with any of our airport solutions.
Accelerated ”Go-Live”
We estimate 2-3 months to deployment, contingent on your internal resources.