JetSMART’s 100 Airbus A320s will be getting ROPS over the next 8 years. Photo courtesy of JetSmart
Airbus subsidiary Navblue will equip low-cost Chilean carrier JetSmart’s 100-member A320-family fleet with a runway overrun protection system (ROPS).
ROPS is an onboard cockpit alerting system that reduces exposure to runway overrun risk, and if necessary, provides active protection. It compares remaining runway length to expected stopping distance in real time to prevent runway overrun. So far, ROPS has been installed on more than 900, single-aisle and widebody aircraft with many more awaiting delivery.
Runway excursion — meaning either an aircraft veering off the side of the runway or overrunning at the very end — remains the primary cause of civil airliner hull losses. ROPS is the only overrun prevention system certified by all leading authorities.
“As a modern airline, our strategy is to look for the best aircraft with the most up-to-date systems, and Airbus A320 family aircraft with ROPS are clearly the best answer to our crews’ needs in terms of safety of operation,” said Estuardo Ortiz, CEO of JetSmart.
The upgrade of JetSmart’s A320s should be finished by the end of 2026.