Asia/Pacific
Work continues to enhance route efficiencies not only to reduce fuel burn, but also to reduce en-route charges.
A new route, SERKA-PAROD allows late night flights from Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai bound for Europe (and Mumbai to the US) to save between 5 to 7 minutes per flight. Flights bound for Europe are able to avoid a large segment of Iranian airspace with expensive ATC charges (when routed via SERKA-PAROD).
Total average savings, including ATC charges avoidance and fuel savings, for flights from Indian airports to Europe are approximately US $13.5 million (US $7.1 million ATC charges and US $6.4 million in fuel savings). Total average savings (ATC charges and fuel savings) for flights from Mumbai to the US are approximately US $3 million (US $750,000 in ATC charges and US $2.25 million in fuel savings).
Overall savings are US $16.5 million and CO2 emissions are reduced by 18,000 tonnes. Further work continues to investigate additional areas where significant reductions in route charges can be delivered through new route initiatives.
Europe
Single European Sky II
IATA distributed a briefing pack on SES to all member airlines. The package identified the lobbying activities necessary to overcome the concerns of member states regarding the European Commission's proposals to strengthen the implementation. The key users requirement includes securing political support for the performance framework, which must not be diluted. Consequently, there is an urgent need to secure support from the member states regarding the need for binding targets in key performance areas such as flight and cost efficiency.
IATA's position can be viewed in the following papers:
- Annex I (pdf) - High level summary of IATA's position
- Annex II (pdf) - First suggestions for amendments
- Annex III (pdf) - Background information on the SES
SESAR
Efforts continue to enhance the understanding of developments in the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU) and secure a better engagement by airspace users in the emerging work programme pending formal agreement of the membership agreements by the end of 2008. There are encouraging indications from the SJU that there will be a 100% funding contribution for expertise coming from member airlines in various work packages. An information day for users is planned for 13 November, together with details regarding a call for tender. Furthermore, a SESAR Performance Partnership is being considered to oversee changes to the Master Plan, the Concept of Operation and the business case for SESAR. Further details are expected from the SJU regarding the composition and terms of reference for the Performance Partnership.
Flight Efficiency Plan Update
The FEP was signed by Eurocontrol, CANSO and IATA with the following goals:
- Enhance European en-route airspace design
- Improve airspace utilisation and route network availability
- Efficient TMAs design and utilisation
- Optimise airport operations
- Improve awareness on performance
So far, the FEP has produced the following successful results:
- The reduction this year to September in total distance per day flown is +/- 10,000NM (+/- 0.35NM per flight) - this corresponds to fuel cost savings of +/- 60 ton per day, or 200 ton of CO2
- Flight inefficiency due to route design has reduced from 3.65% to 3.48% which equates to 5%
- CDA savings amount to € 2.5M per month
- CDM € 1M per month (combined Zurich, Brussels and Munich airport results)
- CDM € 1.5M per month estimated from CDM implementation at other airports
Latin America and the Caribbean
A technical mission was conducted in Colombia by an IATA team with representatives from 10 airlines, ALTA and Boeing. The team performed airport operational surveys at Bogota El Dorado Airport (BOG), Cali Aragon Airport (CLO), Colombia Jose Marie Cordova Airport (MDE), Barranquilla E Cortissoz Airport (BAQ) and Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG). Although most of the airports visited need further improvements, some of the action items and recommendations from previous IATA visits have been undertaken and implemented. To different degrees, all the airports surveyed were found capable of providing the basic infrastructure and services to safely conduct regular operations.
The Colombian government has begun enforcing a security programme requirement mandating air carriers to perform secondary screening of passenger and carry-on baggage. IATA contacted the Operadora Aeroportuaria Internacional (OPAIN) of El Dorado Airport and will contact the DGAC to stress that additional security screening should be based on risk and if it is not implemented for all operators, it should be under the responsibility of the DGAC.
Middle East and Africa
ATS Discussions
On 3 September, a meeting between representatives of the governments of Iraq and Syria was held under IATA auspices at the Regional office in Amman. Discussions dealt mainly with the establishment of Air Traffic Services (ATS) interfacility voice communications, a prerequisite for re-opening ATS routes from Iraq to Turkey via Syria. The parties agreed to establish direct landline telephone connections and to utilise these on a trial basis prior to the re-opening of the routes. The IATA MENA office is exerting vigorous pressure on the countries involved to re-open the routes prior to the end of 2008.
Implementation of the Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM)
On 25 September, RVSM was implemented over the entire African continent. The next step is to implement RVSM in the airspace of Iraq, which will improve safety, capacity and efficiency for traffic from the eastern part of the MENA region to Europe. No date has yet been determined for implementation, but IATA considers the project feasible within the near future.
North Atlantic and North America
News on Implementations
IATA held a meeting with the Miami Airport (MIA) to discuss the implementation of a snake queue in the concourse “J” immigration terminal in order to further improve processing times. MIA is willing to conduct a pilot test. Potential location and layout for “Global Entry” booths was also discussed and MIA expects to have Global Entry running by the end of the year.
The Florida West Coast Airspace Redesign (FLOWCAR) procedures were implemented. FLOWCAR addresses traffic flows through central and west Florida by creating six new RNAV Standard Terminal Arrivals (STAR). The redesign of arrival and departure flows from FLOWCAR is also designed to allow for more efficient use of the Placid Military Operating Area (MOA).
Also, the New York John F Kennedy (JFK) Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approach to 31 L/R and 4 L/R was implemented.
The Los Angeles Airport (LAX) Constant Descent Approach (CDA) Phase 2 was implemented providing constant decent arrival efficiencies to three quarters of arrivals at LAX.
Fuel Forum
IATA participated at the Federal Aviation Agency's (FAA) Midwest Fuel Forum in Chicago to address the current industry crisis. The goal of the forum was to agree on operational solutions (low hanging fruit) that will optimise operations through shorter routes or enhanced ATC procedures. Five initiatives were agreed upon and will be worked on by the FAA with industry assistance. The goal is to implement the initiatives within 6-8 months.
North Asia
Olympic Success
From 20 July to 20 September (including all Beijing Olympics and Paralympics) the CAAC ensured safe and efficient air traffic operations for more than 800,000 internal and international flights, with the cooperation of IATA. IATA was invited to present a debrief to the Chinese State ATC Commission.
New Airport for China
China's fourth largest airport will be built in Kunming by 2010 with expected costs totaling 23 billion yuan. Located in the capital of Yunnan Province, the airport will be an important link to the southeast of Asia and Eurasia. The airport will have four runways and 108 gates. The first runway is expected to be operating by 2009. The airport will be the fourth largest airport in the country, after Beijing, Shanghai Pudong and Guangzhou airports. IATA will be following and reporting on the progress.