A new method for sector optimum partition of airspace is proposed by dividing the flight altitude into several layers according to the distribution characteristics of the controller’s workloads in an airspace. On the basis of the original distribution of the waypoints at each level of altitude, the sweep line algorithm of Voronoi diagram is used to divide them into certain polygons (elements), and the controller’s workloads are calculated in each Voronoi polygon. Then by the rule about balance of controller’s workload and by adding conditions of control handover or coordination for the sector, a mathematical model for the controller’s workload based sector optimization is built. By the model, the Voronoi polygons are optimally partitioned. As a result, a 3D sector optimum partition of the whole airspace is formed by combining the sector optimum partitions at every layer. The actual airspace partition for Xiamen Airport has proved the reasonability and effectiveness of the 3D sector optimum partition of airspace proposed.
