Zurich Airport brings SESAR innovation into live operations with TTMS trials

Zurich Airport, together with a wide range of airport ecosystem partners, is demonstrating how SESAR Joint Undertaking research can move from concept to operational reality through the early deployment of the target time management system (TTMS) developed under the SESAR’s HARMONIC project.

TTMS is designed to distribute delays more intelligently during periods of constrained airport capacity, helping improve punctuality and operational predictability whilst making more effective use of available infrastructure. Rather than waiting for full standardisation, the partners chose to innovatively test the solution in a live operational environment to validate its benefits under real-world conditions.

The solution is particularly relevant for Zurich Airport, where runway capacity is frequently affected by a complex crossing-runway layout and weather-related constraints. Zurich Airport contributed operational planning and infrastructure integration, whilst the addition of airline, air traffic management, and academic stakeholders ensured a wide range of expertise for the development and optimisation of the system.

Early trial results have been encouraging: during an eight-week operational trial involving more than 3,300 flights, the HARMONIC project recorded a 20.2% improvement in arrival punctuality, whilst delays exceeding 30 minutes were reduced by 23.5%. Across the airport, total arrival delay minutes fell by 11% and missed passenger connections decreased by 14%. Following a successful three-month extension, the project moved into a year-long operational trial in early 2026. Zurich Airport noted that their pragmatic approach, focused on a minimum viable product and supported by clear fallback procedures, has been key to enabling safe and effective deployment.

The full interview and case study can be found here.