Eco-Aviation Channel

Airservices Australia, Naverus reach RNP agreement

By Geoffrey Thomas
Eco-Aviation Today, July 10, 2009, p.4

Airservices Australia and Naverus signed a contract that will lay the foundation for the world's first nationwide Performance-Based Navigation network, which will deliver significant reductions in aircraft emissions and noise, reduced flight miles and substantial fuel savings.

The two entities will develop Required Navigation Performance procedures for arrival and departure flight paths at up to 28 major airports around Australia over the next five years. The program could create a reduction of 122 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and save 39 million kg. of fuel per year based on actual flight-trial experience at Brisbane, Airservices CEO Greg Russell said.

All airlines operating within and to Australia whose aircraft are appropriately equipped and certified will be able to take advantage of the new RNP procedures, which will be similar to those designed by Naverus for the 2007 Brisbane Green Trial conducted by Airservices and Qantas. These procedures are saving on average 2.6 min. of flying time, 125 kg. of fuel and 390 kg. of CO2 per flight compared to standard approach procedures into Brisbane.

All 34 of Qantas's 737-800s are certified for RNP approaches. Since the Brisbane trial, it has rolled out RNP to Broome, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Mount Isa, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock Uluru, Canberra, Gold Coast, Hobart, Sydney and Townsville. It also is planning to certify its A330 fleet for RNP.

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