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Asia / Pacific

Implementation of Route Saving Initiative - New Routes from Asia to Europe

One of IATA's key initiatives in reducing CO2 emissions and reducing fuel costs is the focus on route efficiencies for long-haul operators. With this objective, IATA has been working with India and Pakistan to shorten flights between Asia and Europe. 
In July, following agreement between Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and Airports Authority of India, a new M875 route: BUTOP-GUGAL-JHANG was opened, reducing the distance over both countries by more than 50 nautical miles.

This agreement between India and Pakistan has been warmly welcomed by international operators.  IATA is currently exploring future opportunities for this key airspace.

ATM Enhancements - Airside Capacity Enhancement (ACE) Program

IATA has identified 20 capacity constrained Asia-Pacific airports where dialogue will be facilitated to encourage airports and ANSPs to improve current capacity. An important component of the program is the analysis of safety issues using both lead and lag indicators based on IATA’s Safety Trend Evaluation Analysis and Data Exchange System ( STEADES)program. This activity will be carried out in the form of workshops over the next two years.

The first workshop was conducted in Mumbai last month thanks to cooperation from Airports Authority of India, Mumbai International Airport and airlines that operate into Mumbai, to address both safety and efficiencies issues.  Agencies involved agreed to assemble a working group addressing capacity constraints, balancing demand and ensuring maximum utilization of capacity.

North Asia

New Airport Consultative Committees in China

As North Asia's airports continue to expand to meet present and future passenger growth, the significance of an IATA Airport Consultative Committee (ACC) guiding the airport towards world class status has reached new heights. ACC's are one of IATA's initiatives to help airports develop into safe and efficient movers of passengers and aircraft based on industry best practices and ICAO standards.

Following the success of the 2008 Beijing ACC prior to the Olympics, three new ACCs have been established in China at Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu airports, with a srong participation from senior airlines and airport management.
 
Airport managers have recognized IATA's significant role in the development of plans based on airline requirements, benefitting the airport, airlines as well as passengers. These  include the Baggage Improvement Program, as well as the IATA Safety Audit Ground Operations ( ISAGO) and best practices that promote Green Airports.  

New Direct Routes in China

IATA coordinated with the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) and the Chinese air force the opening of two new direct routes between China mainland and Taiwan in July 2009.

• B591 (BOLEX-KASKA-DUBAN) is one of IATA’s 20 identified new routes in China. The old B591 was renamed to R596. The new B591 will cut down 194nm of flying range in comparison to the older R596.
• R200 (GLN-OLDID) can save 35nm compared with the A1 which must circle Hong Kong. Implementation of this route also can ease the air traffic jam around Pearl River Delta area.

Africa

Performance Based Navigation (PBN) Implementation in Nigeria

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has contracted IATA to conduct a World Geodetic Coordinate System (WGS-84) survey in Nigeria. WGS-84 is the ICAO standard for aeronautical coordinates to enable Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) applications.

The project, launched in July 2009 includes the following:

• Surveying of all 22 target aerodromes, including four main international gateways at Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt.
• Development of required Navigation Performance procedures for all active runway ends and PBN (GNSS-based) standard arrivals) and standard departures when required (starting from all main terminal areas), inclusive of quality assurance and charting.
• Provision of PBN workshops and PBN procedure design training to selected NAMA and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority officials.
• Procurement of surveying, geographic information system and information technology equipment for NAMA aeronautical information service and surveying teams.

Europe

IATA's Involvement in the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) 

IATA will be participating in the SESAR Joint Undertaking (JU) work program. The SESAR JU will launch the Work Package Number 1 early September.

Preparations for a Navigation Implementing Rule (IR)

The need for a NAV package mandate for enroute and Terminal Maneuvering Area airspace was identified as an intermediate step towards the SESAR 2020 four dimensional trajectories.

During 2010 a proposed NAV package with target year 2017 will be developed, including NAV functions requirements, like Global Navigation Satellite System, Required Navigation Performance (RNP), scalable RNP, Radius to Fix in the Terminal Maneuvering Area and Route Following Task, and Required Time of Arrival. NAV IR will need to be aligned with other Implementing Rules for Surveillance and Data Link to gain maximum benefits. 

Major benefits are foreseen for the enroute airspace including 500 million Euros in Europe. Major benefits are expected in busy TMAs around airports.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Area Navigation Routes

IATA assisted in the implementation of a new Area Navigation (RNAV) route in Argentina (UT654 / UT655), providing direct routing between Buenos Aires and San Carlos de Bariloche. This new route reduces the flying distance between the two cities by 11nm, providing savings of 180,000 kgs of fuel and a reduction of 572 tons of CO2 for June-December 2009.

Another RNAV route, UT662, was implemented between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. As a result, the flight distance is reduced by 26nm. This route will provide the users with savings of 91,368 kgs of fuel and reduce CO2 emissions by 291 tons in June-December 2009.

IATA has been working closely with LAN Argentina, ICAO and the Argentinean authorities on improving airspace efficiency in the country.

North Atlantic and North America

Chief Pilot and Operations Meeting in Los Angeles

LAXTEC and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) held its annual Los Angeles Chief Pilot and Operations meeting, in which IATA played an active role in providing the industry concerns and operational requirements for Los Angeles airport.

While the economic crisis underscored most discussions, the group focused on how best to support the implementation of fuel and operational efficiency initiatives during the next three to seven months. FAA has done considerable work to improve arrival and departure flow through the implementation of Continuous Descent Approaches (CDAs), Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Departure/Standard Terminal Arrival Route SID/STAR and ground movement infrastructure enhancements.

The FAA agreed to evaluate additional tailored arrivals and more dynamic routings for flights to/from Asia and Australia. With the installation of Air Surface Detection Equipment Model X (ASDE-X) and runway status lights, further improvement in safety is expected to take place with the end goal to reduce runway incursions.

The meeting was attended by 32 international and US-based carriers. The group will meet two times a year in view of the number of industry initiatives underway at LAX.

Lateral Obstacle Plane Project in New York

IATA and JL worked with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) to revitalize the JFK 04L Lateral Obstacle Plane case to conform to ICAO Annex 15. PANYNJ has secured special funding and is in the progress of relocating the hold line on taxiway east (TWY E) from the current 200 feet to 390 feet from extended runway centerline. The relocation of the hold-line on TWY E will save the airlines approximately 10 tons MTOW (Wide-body aircraft).

IATA Continues to Work with the FAA

IATA participated in the New York Area Program Integration Office meeting to discuss the status of the NY Delay Reduction Program and related NY Aviation Rulemaking Committee 77 initiatives. The FAA and airlines reviewed initiatives with varying degrees of success.  IATA and the airlines will continue to work with the FAA, with emphasis on the measurement of efficiency improvements in terms of delay reduction and supporting data.