Definition
An automated computer program used by air traffic control to calculate an efficient arrival order for aircraft approaching a busy airport. It assigns each arriving aircraft a sequence and timing so that traffic flows smoothly to the runway without bunching or excessive spacing.
Plain English
A computer tool ATC uses to line up arriving aircraft in the best order so everyone lands smoothly without traffic jams.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA acronym lists and air traffic control traffic-flow discussions, especially when many aircraft are arriving at the same airport.
Derivation
Arrival means inbound to land, sequencing means putting things in order, and program here means a computer program. Together: a computer program that puts arrivals in order.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces the need for holding patterns and excessive vectoring by keeping arrivals predictable and evenly spaced.
Intuition Check
Do not read “program” as a training course or a schedule. Here it means an air traffic control computer tool that helps organize arriving aircraft.
Example Sentence 1
The arrival sequencing program slotted the flight third in line for the approach, so ATC issued a small speed reduction to maintain spacing.
Example Sentence 2
Because of the arrival sequencing program, ATC adjusted our expected landing time by several minutes.