Eco-Aviation Channel

European airspace plan could cut half a million tonnes of CO2

By Geoffrey Thomas
Eco-Aviation Today, April 10, 2009, p.5

Airports Council International Europe, the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization, Eurocontrol and IATA unveiled a joint action plan to implement continuous descent approach procedures at up to 100 airports across Europe by the end of 2013, saving more than half a million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

The plan, announced at the Aviation and Environment Summit, was developed by 19 organizations and companies across Europe including ANSPs, manufacturers, airports and airlines. According to IATA, CDA reduces fuel burn 50-150 kg. for a short/medium-haul aircraft and lowers CO2 emissions by 160-470 kg. per flight as well as cutting noise 1-5 dB. When implemented at the 100 airports, CDA will save 150,000 tonnes of fuel and €100 million a year in addition to the reduction in emissions.

However, CANSO warned at the conference that stronger cooperation is required and pressure needed to ensure that states make the necessary changes to improve airspace efficiency. It called for efficiency to be increased from 92% to 96% by 2050 and stated that the tradeoffs among issues such as safety, fuel efficiency, noise, capacity and military-civil airspace make 100% airspace efficiency an impossibility.

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