Airport Operations Plan (AOP)

Flight Operations

Estimated Off-Blocks Time (EOBT) must be aligned to within +/-10 minutes of the TOBT. This is to support Eurocontrol with ensuring flight plan times (EOBTs) are kept aligned with flow control measures which are influenced by TOBTs.

Airlines are reminded of the need to comply with flight planning behaviours as detailed in the Eurocontrol ATFCM Users Manual, particularly around Late Filers and Late Updaters, as quoted below:

8.1.5 Late filing

FPLs sent to the IFPS less than 3 hours before the EOBT will render those flights as “late filer”. These flights may be penalised during the slot allocation process. In the flight status column (STA) of the flight list in CHMI / NOP Portal these flights can be identified with a “LF”.

8.1.6 Late updating

Modifications to the FPL (DLA / CHG) sent less than 2 hours before EOBT will cause the flights to be considered as “late updater” if the update changes the profile calculation. In the flight status column (STA) of the flight list in CHMI / NOP Portal these flights can be identified with a “LU”.

Crew

Pilots should call Delivery at TOBT +/-5 minutes. If they become aware of any reason why they may be unable to meet the TOBT (+/- 5 mins) they should advise the ground handler and provide a new, realistic TOBT.

Need access to AOP?

Colleagues employed directly by Heathrow can request an AOP account through the TechHelp portal on HUB+.

TeamHeathrow colleagues who are not employed directly by Heathrow should use the following process. Please ensure you read and follow the instructions carefully.

1. Register your email address with Heathrow Digital Identity – if you already have access to the Airport Community App and/or other Heathrow systems, you may be able to skip this step.
2. Once HDI registration is completed and confirmed, then request access to AOP. Please ensure you list your organisation and your specific job role in the ‘Justification’ field. Generic responses such as ‘Needed for Job Role’ or ‘Operational Reasons’ will cause your request to be rejected.
3. The Aircraft Operations Duty Manager Team will review and approve the request electronically. You will receive an approval notification. This may take up to 48 hours depending on operational requirements.
4. You now have access to AOP and can access it at MyApps.Microsoft.com by selecting the AOP icon. Alternatively, you can use this link.
5. Please note that AOP accounts need to be re-validated every 90 days. You will receive an email from Microsoft Azure/HDI and must confirm your continued need for access to AOP – this is a mandatory cyber security requirement, and failure to respond will result in your account being deleted. If your account is deleted, you will need to raise a new request as in Step 2.  
6. The Live Aircraft Map can be accessed via the link located in the top-right menu of the AOP Platform. Please note that access to the map is not included with standard AOP Platform access and must be requested separately through the provided link. 

Note: Heathrow Digital Identity is used to grant access to HAL IT applications for external stakeholders. For example, it is used for access to the Heathrow Airport Community app. If you are already registered with HDI you can skip the first step and go directly to Step 2.