Boeing says landing program cuts CO2 emissions

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SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A system that gives aircraft tailor-made arrival paths has saved fuel and cut emissions during recent trials, aircraft maker Boeing said on Thursday.

Boeing said it has worked with several airlines over a 12-month period to test its Tailored Arrivals program.

“The Tailored Arrivals project is a major step forward as it offers pilots the opportunity to fly the most fuel-efficient and timely flight paths within the bounds of safety,” said Paul Steele, director of Aviation Environment at the International Air Transport Association.

International aviation, which produces about 2 percent of mankind’s greenhouse gas emissions, is under increasing pressure to curb its carbon pollution.

The European Union will include aviation into its emission trading scheme from 2012, though most airlines say they prefer a global trading scheme because this is deemed to be the most fair.

Boeing said aircrews receive the arrival path guidance matched to a specific flight by taking into consideration factors including aircraft performance, air traffic, airspace and weather.

It said tests carried out at San Francisco International Airport showed the system helped the airlines cut fuel consumption by 1.1 million pounds (524 tonnes) and carbon dioxide emissions by 3.6 million pounds (1,600 tonnes) over one year.

Around 1,000 flights into San Francisco by Boeing 777 and 747 aircraft were assessed, it added.

The airlines involved in the test were United Airlines, Japan Airlines, Air New Zealand, Qantas and All Nippon Airlines.

Singapore Airlines will join the test program later this year, it said.