Air New Zealand, Qantas, Airways New Zealand and optimum arrivals

Air New Zealand and Qantas are two of the premier carriers in the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide.  Airways New Zealand is one of the world's leading providers of commercial Air Navigation Services (ANS).

Did you know?

• The landing of an airplane usually involves “stepping down” to lower altitudes with guidance from air traffic control. This requires maintaining constant altitude and speed at each subsequent “step.” 
• However, by descending continuously on a glide pattern, airplanes can reduce the amount of fuel consumed, emissions, and even noise pollution.

What are we doing?

• Air New Zealand and Qantas, working with air navigation services provider Airways New Zealand, are conducting an Optimum Arrival Trial which allows landing aircraft to follow “glide descent” approach procedures. The test is currently limited to Air New Zealand and Qantas 747 aircraft arriving at Auckland (New Zealand) International Airport.
• The ‘glide descents’ will be flown with the aircraft engines set at idle, thereby significantly reducing fuel burn and emissions.

What is the result?

• The trial will establish what the actual fuel burn is for an arriving flight and gauge the potential fuel savings and the associated emission reductions of glide descent.
• The trial will help better define future air navigation planning, and will achieve better industry environmental outcomes.
• This, along with our efforts in other areas, is helping to limit our contribution to climate change.