New Zealand's ANSP Says Modernization Contributing to Cleaner Skies

Airways New Zealand, New Zealand's ANSP (air navigation services provider) says its improved procedures and modernization initiatives are helping airlines burn less fuel, and therefore reduce emissions, while flying in its airspace.

Airways estimates that its efforts to more efficiently control traffic flows and reduce vectoring already are saving operators about NZ$20 million per year in fuel costs.  But according to Ken Mitchell, Airways New Zealand's communications manager, new initiatives such as better routing, and operational collaboration between airline operators, airport companies and Airways New Zealand, "will play an increasingly important role in airline fuel economies."

Here are some examples of the ANSP's recent and pending initiatives, cited by Mr. Mitchell, all of which can reduce fuel burn:

• A new online Collaborative Arrivals Manager, scheduled to be operational in September, will use shared real-time information between airlines, airport companies and Airways New Zealand, to reduce airborne and taxiway holding.

• User preferred routing, which has been operational in New Zealand's oceanic airspace for a number of years, gives operators the ability to more easily alter flight plans while en route to take advantage of changing winds.

• The recent introduction of a reduced 30/30 nautical mile horizontal separation standard within Airways' oceanic sector gives more flights access to preferred routes and flight levels.

• Airways New Zealand has been working with Air New Zealand and Qantas on optimized arrivals into Auckland that would allow landing aircraft to keep their engines idle power longer and more constantly.

• Airways' new "Strategic Vision of Air Traffic Management in New Zealand in 2015 and Beyond" includes a RNP (required navigation performance) project, which sets out a blueprint for introducing these procedures in the future.

Click here to become a registered Flt Tech Online subscriber and receive headlines delivered to your e-mail each week

Click here to go back to the headlines