This paper gives a description of a computer simulation model called North
Atlantic Simulation and Modelling developed by Virginia Tech’s Air
Transportation Systems Laboratory. The model is capable of investigating the
effects of implementing different operational policies and strategies in
oceanic airspace such as Reduced Lateral Separation Minima, North Atlantic
Region Data link mandate, Reduced Longitudinal Separation Minima,
cruise-climb profiles, variable Mach number profiles, step-climbs and other
operational concepts. This paper describes the methodology, various
components of the model and validation results. The effects on aircraft
fuel consumption due of ICAO's North Atlantic data link mandate and reduced
lateral separation minima, which are being implemented in the North Atlantic
airspace are also discussed.