Aviation partners to cut 500,000 tonnes of ...( ACI EUROPE C...)

ACI EUROPE, CANSO, EUROCONTROL and IATA launched a joint action plan designed to reduce the CO2 emitted by aircraft in Europe by over half a million tonnes a year.

Geneva, Switzerland (PRWEB) April 6, 2009 -- ACI EUROPE, CANSO, EUROCONTROL and IATA launched a joint action plan designed to reduce the CO2 emitted by aircraft in Europe by over half a million tonnes a year.

The plan, launched at the 4th Aviation and Environment Summit in Geneva, will implement Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) at up to 100 airports across Europe by the end of 2013. This would be broadest introduction of the process undertaken to date.

CDA, where aircraft fly a smooth approach into an airport rather than the classical stepped approach, not only reduces fuel burn by between 50 and 150 kg for a short-to-medium haul aircraft, but also reduces CO2 emissions by 160 to 470 kg per flight. CDA also reduces noise around the airport by between 1 and 5 decibels. With CDA in place at 100 airports in Europe, airlines will save 150,000 tonnes of fuel and 100 million Euros a year while reducing CO2 by half a million tonnes.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General ACI EUROPE said "Our cooperation will address crucial short-term and long-term challenges for European aviation. CDA will benefit residents living around many European airports by lowering noise and carbon emissions, saving airlines money at a time when every cent counts -- a rare win-win, in an increasingly challenging operating environment."

Alexander ter Kuile, CANSO Secretary General said "CANSO's European members welcome this initiative and will be working closely with our colleagues to introduce this important operational technique. CDA is just one of a
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