Definition
An air traffic control automation function that manages departure and arrival flows at a busy airport as a single coordinated process, sequencing aircraft so that takeoffs and landings on shared or interacting runways are spaced efficiently and safely.
Plain English
A computer tool used by controllers that handles the planes coming in and the planes going out together, instead of as two separate problems, so the airport runs more smoothly.
Context Anchor
Seen in air traffic control automation and National Airspace System descriptions, not as a cockpit control or pilot-operated system.
Derivation
Integrated means combined into one system. Departure/arrival refers to the two main traffic flows at an airport. Capability indicates a function or feature of the automation system. The name describes exactly what it does: combine the handling of departures and arrivals into one capability.
Why Pilots Care
It reduces delays and holding times by improving how controllers balance arrivals with departures on shared runways.
Grounding Statement
From the pilot’s seat, this is invisible background support that helps controllers match what is leaving with what is arriving.
Intuition Check
Do not read “capability” as something the airplane or pilot can do. Here it means a computer function used by air traffic control.
Example Sentence 1
The tower's integrated departure/arrival capability helped sequence the inbound traffic with the line of jets waiting to take off.
Example Sentence 2
During morning rush, the tower activated Integrated Departure/Arrival Capability to keep both runways operating at full capacity.