Climate Impact of Optimizing ATM and ATC Procedures for Mitigating CO2 and Non-CO2 Emissions

A comprehensive multidisciplinary review of recent advances in aviation emissions modeling methodologies and mitigation strategies through optimized in-flight operational procedures, and how they could be considered in evaluating their climatic impact is presented. With reference to the Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA), the article critically examines current and emerging strategies, particularly those enabled by GNSS-based capabilities and Performance-Based Navigation (PBN), to enhance aircraft efficiency and reduce fuel consumption and associated chemical emissions. The study also explores the state-of-the-art methodologies for modeling both CO2 and non-CO2 emissions and addresses the problem of contrails formation, highlighting the main relevant aspects that can be useful for the definition of future mitigation strategies. Furthermore, it analyzes evolving optimization techniques aimed at real-time 4D trajectory planning able to consider the atmospheric conditions, with the overall objective of minimizing the aircraft environmental impact while in flight. Finally, the paper discusses suitable metrics for evaluating both short-term local air quality effects and long-term global climate implications, offering an integrated framework for sustainable aviation operations.