Diploma in Air Traffic Sequencing and Optimization
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in air traffic sequencing and optimisation: 8 modules covering ATM and capacity, arrival and departure sequencing, optimisation models, trajectories and flight efficiency, AI and simulation, and implementation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Air Traffic Sequencing and Optimization — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a long-standing aerospace base, anchored by the Western Cape cluster around Cape Town and the Gauteng aerospace corridor near Johannesburg. Companies such as Denel Aerospace Systems, Aerosud and Airbus-linked suppliers in the Western Cape draw on local engineering talent. The South African Civil Aviation Authority oversees airworthiness and drone regulation, while the South African National Space Agency coordinates national space activity. Demand for skills in aircraft systems, unmanned aerial systems and satellite engineering continues to grow across both regions.
Fees for South Africa: R 20 400 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the South African Council for Aeronautical and Engineering Professions or ECSA?
SEIUM is a private online institute and its qualifications are not official state degrees or accredited by a national body. In South Africa, professional registration is handled by bodies such as ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) and SACAP for built environment roles, and aviation licensing by the SACAA. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by the employer or the relevant body, so check directly with them before enrolling.
Would this qualification help me get work with aerospace or drone employers in South Africa?
Employers in South Africa's aerospace and drone sector, such as aircraft maintenance organisations, defence contractors and drone operators, usually weigh experience, licensing and university credentials heavily. A private online qualification can support your CV and show specialist knowledge, but it does not guarantee hiring or a particular role. Ask prospective employers whether they value the programme before you commit.
Can I manage the workload while working full time, and do I need to be fluent in English?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you need solid working English. Study is fully remote, so no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Plan your weekly hours realistically, and ask whether employer sponsorship or instalment payment could help with fees.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand air traffic flow and capacity management.
Apply arrival sequencing techniques.
Optimise departure sequences with A-CDM.
Formulate mathematical models for traffic optimisation.
Assess the efficiency of flight trajectories.
Use artificial intelligence and simulation in ATM problems.
Evaluate the implementation of sequencing tools.
Who it's for
- Air traffic management engineers.
- ATM performance analysts tracking delay and efficiency.
- Optimisation specialists applying operations research to aviation.
- Air traffic controllers working with AMAN and DMAN.
- Aviation data scientists.
- Air navigation consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to work for air navigation service providers.
What you'll work with
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317 (SES performance and charging scheme)
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/116 (Common Project One, including AMAN and DMAN)
- Regulation (EU) 255/2010 (air traffic flow management rules)
- ICAO Doc 4444 (PANS-ATM, air traffic management procedures)
- ICAO Doc 9971 (Manual on Collaborative Air Traffic Flow Management)
- EUROCONTROL RECAT-EU (European wake turbulence re-categorisation)
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (EASA Basic Regulation)
- Gurobi
- Python (PuLP/OR-Tools)
- BADA
- AirTOp
- MATLAB
8 modules
1.1Structure of European airspace1.2ATFCM flow management1.3The EUROCONTROL Network Manager1.4Regulation measures and slots1.5Sector capacity and workload1.6Delays and their causes1.7Key performance indicators (KPIs)1.8Single European Sky performance plan1.9Dynamic airspace management1.10Workshop: delay analysis with network data
2.1Arrival managers (AMAN)2.2Extended AMAN horizon2.3Wake separations and RECAT-EU2.4Time-based separation (TBS)2.5Holding and vectoring2.6Continuous descent arrivals2.7Point Merge and holding structures2.8Runway allocation2.9Interaction with controllers2.10Practical: arrival sequence with wake separation
3.1Departure managers (DMAN)3.2A-CDM and target times3.3Target start-up approval time3.4Optimisation of the take-off sequence3.5Departure intervals and SID routes3.6De-icing management for departures3.7Arrival-departure coordination on mixed-mode runways3.8A-SMGCS surface management3.9Network constraints and CTOT3.10Lab: departure sequencing with A-CDM
4.1Integer linear programming4.2The aircraft sequencing problem4.3Formulations with time windows4.4Heuristics and metaheuristics4.5Genetic algorithms and tabu search4.6Multi-objective optimisation of delay and fuel4.7Constraint programming4.8Robust optimisation under uncertainty4.9Commercial and open-source solvers4.10Practical: MILP model of a landing sequence
5.14D trajectories and TBO5.2Trajectory prediction5.3Free route in upper airspace5.4Horizontal and vertical efficiency5.5Fuel consumption and emissions5.6BADA performance models5.7Controlled time of arrival5.8Cruise speeds and delay absorption5.9Trajectory sharing via ADS-C EPP5.10Lab: fuel consumption calculation with BADA models
6.1Machine learning for delay prediction6.2Taxi time prediction6.3Reinforcement learning in sequencing6.4Fast-time airspace simulation6.5Real-time simulation with controllers6.6Validation of new concepts6.7Explainability of ATM algorithms6.8Flight data and open sources6.9Certification of AI-based systems6.10Case study: taxi time prediction model
7.1Deployment of AMAN and DMAN7.2SESAR sequencing projects7.3Assessment of operational benefits7.4Profitability for airlines and airports7.5Safety of the functional change7.6Human factors and acceptance7.7Punctuality and predictability metrics7.8Lessons from major airports7.9ATM Master Plan roadmap7.10Case study: evaluation of an extended AMAN
8.1Selection of the study scenario8.2Traffic data analysis8.3Formulation of the optimisation problem8.4Implementation of the algorithm8.5Scenario simulation8.6Benefit assessment8.7Sensitivity analysis8.8Implementation proposal8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Gurobi, Python (PuLP/OR-Tools), BADA, AirTOp and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: optimisation of landing and take-off sequences, simulation of terminal area traffic scenarios and analysis of delays and punctuality with real data. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/116 (CP1), Regulation (EU) 255/2010 (ATFM), ICAO Doc 4444 (PANS-ATM), ICAO Doc 9971 (Manual on Collaborative Air Traffic Flow Management), EUROCONTROL RECAT-EU, Regulation (EU) 2018/1139.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer able to run the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Gurobi, Python (PuLP/OR-Tools), BADA, AirTOp and MATLAB, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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