Boeing Cuts Airline Emissions with Tailored Arrivals

Aerospace and defence firm Boeing announced that an innovative programme carried out in conjunction with a number of the globally dominant airlines had yielded positive results.

The programme, which involved providing individual flights with their own, bespoke routes to landing, had resulted in less fuel being consumed and – from an environmental perspective – less in the way of greenhouse gas emissions being created.

Under the title of the ‘Tailored Arrivals’ programme, Boeing, for the last year, has been collaborating with Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airlines, Japan Airlines, United Airlines and Qantas. Another carrier, Singapore Airlines, is also scheduled to take part later on in 2009.

“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”, the International Air Transport Association’s Director of Aviation Environment, Paul Steele, explained.

Aviation Emissions

A significant and growing amount of pressure is on the aviation community to reduce its contribution to global warming which, at present, stands at about two per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions created as a result of human activities.

While the EU intends to incorporate aviation within its emission trading scheme (ETS) in under three years time - beginning on the 1st January 2012 - the majority of passenger carriers favour a fairer, wider global venture.

According to Boeing, those flying the aircraft operated by the five airlines participating in the Tailored Arrivals programme were given data on the route they should take based on a number of factors including what aircraft were involved, how many other aircraft were in the area at that time, and the prevailing weather conditions.

The landings were all made into San Francisco International Airport - the 23rd largest of its kind in the world – and all involved Boeing 747 and 777 airliners.

Fuel Consumption Savings

Combined, the fuel consumption savings made by the airlines over a period of twelve months – partly through the application of the Tailored Arrivals programme - came to 524 tonnes (1.1 million pounds). CO2 emissions, meanwhile, were cut by 1,600 tonnes, or 3.6 million pounds.

In related news, it emerged on March 4th that the EA (Environment Agency) will be able to impose fines on British carriers that surpass permissible levels of CO2 emissions.