[Avionics Today March 19, 2014] The U.K.’s air traffic services provider, NATS, is looking to generate a 4 percent reduction in Air Traffic Management CO2 and fuel burn on average per aircraft by the end of 2014 by achieving a new efficiency goal set by the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
NATS measures the three dimensional efficiency of aircraft flying over U.K. airspace with a 3Di metric with each flight compared to a scale where zero represents total environmental efficiency. Scores typically fall between 15 and 35, and are lower based on Air Traffic Controllers’ ability to provide smooth continuous descents and climbs, direct routes and optimum flight levels.
In 2013, NATS achieved an overall rating of 23.7, lower than the CAA’s target of 24 for the year. This year, the CAA has lowered the target to 23.
“We have a target to enable a 4% reduction in air traffic management CO2 and fuel burn on average per aircraft by the end of 2014 and have around 30 additional fuel and emissions saving measures already being considered that will help us towards that goal," said Ian Jopson, head of environmental affairs at NATS.
According to the CAA, achieving a 3Di score of 23 for the year will generate 600,000 tons of CO2 savings worth over $120 million to airlines in fuel savings.