Knowledge and Development Centre (KDC)
The KDC Foundation is a collaboration between the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, LVNL, and aviation sector partners KLM and Royal Schiphol Group. The foundation develops and integrates knowledge with the aim of advancing and innovating aviation in the Netherlands and at Mainport Schiphol. KDC has a multi-year program carried out in cooperation with research institutes, universities, and consultancy firms.
In 2025, KDC worked on five projects from this program, each of which will continue in 2026.
Key topics in 2025 were:
- Established on RNP-AR procedures: The Airspace Redesign Program (PLRH) is developing a new concept for the airspace around Schiphol. This concept uses fixed approach routes and continuous descent operations to enable more sustainable and efficient flights. New KLM aircraft equipped with RNP-AR navigation (from 2027) will make this possible. The transition is complex due to a mix of equipped and non-equipped aircraft, requiring smart solutions such as “traffic merging.”
- Air-Ground Datalink Operational Interface: KDC is developing an iPad prototype to test ADS-C EPP data, allowing air traffic controllers to see early on whether an aircraft is following the correct departure route (SID). This improves safety and reduces workload. The project addresses shortcomings of traditional radio communication and prepares the introduction of datalink technology (CPDLC, ADS-C) in the new iCAS system. It is part of a broader strategy to improve safety, sustainability, and reduce workload.
- Maintenance Works Impact Model: Runway maintenance can be scheduled in different ways: long periods every 8–10 years or short, frequent intervals. The choice depends on factors such as capacity, delays, and noise impact. Using models, Schiphol can predict the impact of maintenance on runway usage and capacity and optimize strategies that consider environmental factors.
- Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA): Airspace usage varies between periods of high and low intensity. Coordination among different users is essential to make optimal use of available airspace. Optimal use means shorter routes, less fuel consumption, fewer emissions, and fewer delays. This is achieved through the Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA) concept, where airspace is allocated flexibly to users on a daily basis. The study examines how FUA can be applied more frequently and what benefits it offers, considering both civil and military interests.
- NOMOS Research Engineer: Schiphol uses the Noise Monitoring System (NOMOS), which has measured aircraft noise at 41 locations around the airport since 1993. A large amount of data is available (so far underutilized) that can help demonstrate, for example, that fleet renewal actually reduces noise. This research focuses on correlating changes in fleet composition and procedures with measurements in the broadest sense.
KDC Centre of Excellence
KDC collaborates with the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) through the KDC Centre of Excellence. In 2025:
- Six students from the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences graduated in the bachelor track.
- Six master’s students from TU Delft graduated.
In addition to bachelor’s and master’s students, the Centre of Excellence expanded with two PhD projects, each lasting four years:
PhD
- In 2026, Rebekka van der Grift will complete her NOMOS study. Aircraft noise is calculated using models and verified with measurements. Sometimes calculations and measurements differ due to factors such as weather conditions and assumptions about exact takeoff or landing weight. Research is needed to explain these differences and improve system accuracy. Rebekka’s research focuses on testing the European noise standard (Doc29) using Schiphol data and knowledge from TU Delft and KDC.
- Bob van Dillen started his PhD project in 2025. This study aims to improve the predictability of aircraft routes in four dimensions (3D plus time) to make air traffic more efficient and sustainable.
iLabs
From the collaboration between KDC and TU Delft, a development facility has emerged: iLabs.
In 2025, eleven TU Delft interns contributed to the further development of iLabs.
The facilities are widely used by students from the KDC Centre of Excellence to develop, test, and demonstrate innovations. Several LVNL departments also make use of iLabs, for example, to evaluate route designs (for the Airspace Redesign Program), accelerate system development, and improve noise modeling software.
LVNL has appointed a dedicated iLabs coordinator with the aim of accelerating innovation within LVNL.
Results of the students at the Technical University of Delft
Reducing uncertainty for Flow Management of arriving traffic at Schiphol before departure
LVNL uses a Decision Support System (DST) to help ACC Supervisors and Flow Managers decide when to issue flow regulations to Eurocontrol’s Network Manager, typically 3–4 hours before arrival at Schiphol. At this point, much of the incoming traffic is still on the ground at out-stations, creating uncertainty in demand forecasts. Previous research shows that this uncertainty largely originates in the pre-departure phase. The study aimed to develop a machine learning model to improve the estimation of aircraft Take-Off Times.
By Tex Ruskamp
Optimizing taxiway maintenance planning using ground control workload limits
Taxiway maintenance planning at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is currently based on technical needs, with operational impacts considered only later, often causing plans to be pushed through despite feasibility issues. A key operational concern is the workload of ground controllers, which must remain within safe limits to avoid compromising safety and airport capacity. This thesis examined the relationship between taxiway closures for maintenance and ground controller workload, aiming to determine when and for how long closures can occur without exceeding acceptable workload levels.
By Sander Poelstra
Estimated Time of Arrival predictions based on accurate weather
Weather significantly impacts aviation, and accurate wind field modeling is crucial for reducing uncertainty in aircraft Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA). Previous research developed the Meteo-Particle (MP) model using aircraft and UAV data and explored physics-inspired machine learning approaches. This study introduced a diffusion neural network to create accurate 3D wind fields, filling gaps where aircraft data is missing. Unlike earlier models that struggle with non-uniform wind conditions, this approach offers improved wind field reconstruction and better ETA predictions.
By Matthijs Slobbe
Dynamic application of idle descents and off-idle geometric descents in the CTA
Traditional trajectory management for arrivals relies on speed or time control, but these methods are too uncertain for high-density operations. An alternative approach using fixed-angle geometric descents reduces uncertainty but requires off-idle thrust, affecting efficiency. Idle descents remain possible under certain conditions with higher tolerance for uncertainty. This research compared uncertainties in idle and off-idle descents at Schiphol and developed a dynamic model for applying both techniques in 24-hour operations, contrasting it with static applications.
By Lisa Blom
Effects of a decision support tool on merging ILS and EoR traffic in approach control
Established on RNP AR APCH (EoR) enables aircraft to fly complex curved approaches with high accuracy, reducing radar separation and improving efficiency. At Schiphol, mixed traffic (EoR-equipped and non-equipped) requires controllers to merge EoR traffic with vectored ILS traffic. This research designs and evaluates a Decision Support Tool (DST) based on Ecological Interface Design principles to assist controllers. A simulation assessed its impact on workload, capacity, and robustness under different traffic mixes.
By Teun Vleming
Flight performance
Current ATM performance metrics like Horizontal Flight Efficiency (HFE) rely on extra distance and time flown, which do not always correlate with fuel consumption due to factors like wind and altitude. Fuel-based indicators provide a more accurate measure of environmental efficiency but are complex to implement. This study used the OpenAP model to reconstruct trajectories, generate optimal references, and calculate fuel consumption, enabling the identification of strategic, tactical, horizontal, and vertical inefficiencies in LVNL’s airspace.
By Lilien Madi
Results of the students at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Evaluating Safety Measures for Converging Runway Operations at Schiphol Airport
Schiphol uses converging runway operations, which require special safety measures under international and Dutch regulations. In 2022, LVNL introduced new measures for good visibility and daylight conditions to improve safety. This research analyzed real-world data to assess their effectiveness and identify areas for further improvement.
By Rosemarijn Remmers
Automation in service provision: Reducing ATCO workload while achieving sustainability goals
Training to become an Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) is highly demanding, with low success rates causing staff shortages and increased workload. Rising traffic volumes and sustainability goals highlight the need for greater automation in air traffic management. This research, aligned with the SESAR Master Plan 2025, examined automation opportunities in the upcoming iCAS system compared to the current AAA system, aiming to reduce ATCO workload, improve efficiency, and support sustainable operations.
By Lydia Hoogendijk
Disturbance of Global Navigation Satellite System Signal Assignment
GNSS disruptions caused by jamming or spoofing can compromise flight navigation and safety, especially as aviation increasingly depends on GNSS. This research investigated the reliability of GNSS signals in Dutch airspace by analyzing aircraft downlinked data via ADS-B and Mode-S, focusing on NIC/NAC values that indicate GNSS quality. The goal was to determine how often and how long signal issues occur, providing a clear picture of GNSS performance and potential risks.
By Pam Smit
A-Typical Approaches
CTR and TMA areas have dense, complex traffic flows, where approach safety relies on standard procedures guiding aircraft to final approach. SESAR introduced the concept of atypical approaches, which currently lack a formal definition. Previous studies identified abnormal approaches such as Non-Compliant Approaches (NCAs) and Non-Stabilized Approaches (NSAs), which can increase risks like Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT). This research used historical surveillance data from Amsterdam FIR to define, identify, and quantify atypical approaches, focusing on their frequency at Schiphol’s runways 18C and 18R.
By Jasper van Renssen
Enhancing predictability and efficiency in the aircraft towing process through improved real-time information sharing
Eurocontrol’s Airport Collaborative Decision Making (ACDM) system improves airport efficiency and resilience by optimizing resources and enhancing air traffic predictability through real-time data sharing, reducing delays for inbound and outbound flights. However, towing operations—like flight movements—still suffer from poor information exchange, making them unpredictable and inefficient. This research aimed to enhance real-time data sharing for towing operations to improve predictability and efficiency, reduce disruptions and congestion, minimize APU runtime, and optimize tow truck utilization and overall performance.
By Vincent van Dijk
Implementing FF-ICE release 1
The FF-ICE concept aims to overcome the limitations of the current 2012 flight plan to support future Air Traffic Management (ATM) operations as outlined in the global ATM operational concept. Under EU Implementing Rule 118/2021 (Phase 1), the introduction of a new flight plan will become mandatory by December 31, 2025. This research investigates how LVNL and its stakeholders can adapt to these changes. Unlike today’s flight plan, which only shows the initial flight intent and cannot be modified during flight, FF-ICE Phase 1 enables richer trajectory descriptions and supports Trajectory-Based Operations for more efficient airspace use worldwide. The study focused on identifying existing or required changes within LVNL to comply with the new regulations.
By Suze Garstman
More detailed information about the Centre of Excellence, KDC projects, students, and their graduation topics can be found on the website www.kdc-mainport.nl.