Airport Coordination Netherlands for ACNL (ACNL) plays an important role in Dutch aviation. As the independent slot coordinator, ACNL is responsible for the fair and transparent allocation of scarce takeoff and landing slots at Dutch airports. This requires careful decision-making, consistent application of rules, and clear accountability to a range of stakeholders.
ACNL has a clear understanding of the insights it needs. The challenge is not defining the questions, but organizing the process in practice: how do you ensure that large volumes of data are reliably accessible, analyzed consistently, and translated into reports and dashboards that are actually used?
Over the past few years, CQM has supported ACNL through a series of targeted projects. Rather than one large program, the collaboration has taken a pragmatic approach, building greater insight and transparency step by step. It now encompasses multiple projects, supplemented by an ongoing maintenance budget that ACNL can use flexibly for new questions, adjustments, and further analysis.
The projects are closely related and consistently focus on the same objective: turning data into actionable insights that support execution, monitoring, and accountability. In the context of airport slot coordination, this is far from straightforward. The complexity lies in the combination of factors involved: numerous data sources, the varying interests of airlines, and strict regulations governing noise limits and flight movements, including distinctions between daytime and nighttime operations. ACNL aims not only to comply with laws and regulations, but also to proactively promote transparency and consistency.
Each of the applications below is actively used in ACNL's day-to-day operations: to support decisions, communicate with stakeholders, and provide a sound basis for accountability.
A selection of applications developed by CQM and ACNL:
PRAAC tool: The Policy Rule Additional Allocation Criteria uses seven objective criteria to determine which slot requests receive priority when available slots are allocated. CQM professionalized this process by translating these prioritization rules into a robust Python application. The result is a solution that is less prone to errors, faster, and more reproducible - essential during busy allocation periods.
Dashboards for reporting and insight: Three reports - the Weekly Report, Start of Season Report, and Milestone Report - make complex datasets accessible and easy to interpret. They provide insight into slot developments by airline, enable comparisons with previous seasons, and are partly available to the public.
Monitoring day/night movements: This dashboard shows the expected number of flight movements per season, broken down by daytime and nighttime operations. By running different scenarios, ACNL can assess whether intervention is needed to remain within permitted limits.
Detecting off-slot patterns: In line with European regulations, this dashboard helps automatically identify recurring deviations from allocated slot times. This allows slot coordinators to focus their time on assessment and follow-up.
Clear roles and close collaboration
The collaboration is characterized by a clear division of responsibilities. ACNL has a strong understanding of the questions that need to be answered and the context in which those answers will be used. CQM provides the analytical expertise: structuring data, developing reports, and ensuring that insights are consistent and reproducible.
Through close collaboration, the solutions align not only technically, but also with ACNL's processes and day-to-day operations.
"When you have a large amount of data, there are many insights you can derive from it. But that can be quite complex, and that is where CQM helps us. Their operations research expertise and reliability really make the difference."
Hugo ThomassenManaging Director at ACNL
A collaboration built to last
What makes the collaboration with ACNL stand out is the combination of mutual trust, domain expertise, and technical depth. With expertise in data science, optimization, and statistics, CQM provides valuable support for challenges where regulations, stakeholder interests, and technology come together.
Each new question further strengthens the collaboration. With direct communication and a strong understanding of both the data and its context, CQM can respond quickly and make an ongoing contribution to data-driven decision-making in aviation.
"CQM helps us make complexity manageable. They ensure that our data actually delivers value. We enjoy working with them because they respond quickly, deliver on their commitments, and bring exactly the niche expertise needed to translate regulations into clear, actionable analyses."
Alle LenoirAirport Slot Coordinator at ACNL
Curious what this kind of collaboration could mean for your organization?
Bring us your challenge. We turn complexity into clarity and data into better-informed decisions.
Hugo Thomassen Managing Director at ACNL
Alle Lenoir Airport Slot Coordinator at ACNL
