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The Japan Airlines Group has extended the use of
User Preferred Route (UPR) on its flights between Japan and
Australia.
After receiving safety verifications from
the Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
(MLIT), the U.S Federal Aviation Administration and Australian
civil aviation authorities, UPR trials on the route between Tokyo,
Narita and Brisbane as well as Sydney started June 4, 2009.
JAL successfully conducted trials using UPR - a
flight path planning system that helps to reduce fuel consumption
and thereby reduce CO2 gas emissions, on flights to Hawaii since
August 2008.
By utilizing this method of flight
operations on the once-daily, round-trip flights to both
destinations in Australia, JAL estimates that it can save up to 1
million lbs. (560,000 liters or 28000 oil drums) of fuel which
translates to an approximate decrease in CO2 gas emissions by
1,400 tons, thereby potentially reducing the cost of fuel by 24
million yen.
Furthermore, since May 7 this year, JAL
started using the CDA (Continuous Descent Arrival) method for
flights landing late at night and early in the morning at Osaka's
Kansai International Airport. CDA allows an aircraft to descend
continuously from its cruising altitude when approaching the
airport. This reduces the use of engine thrust and consequently
the amount of fuel used. Using this method on the 3 daily flights
operated by JAL during the applicable time belt, an estimated
560,000 lbs. (320,000 liters, 1600 oil drums) of fuel can be saved
per year, reducing CO2 gas emissions by 800 tons, and saving
approximately 13 million yen in fuel costs.
UPR
A User Preferred Route is a unique
flight path for each aircraft instead of following the
conventional approach of flying along predetermined aviation
routes set by air traffic controllers (ATC).
Depending upon the
prevailing weather conditions at the time, UPR allows an airline
to fly along what it judges to be the most efficient route for
each type of aircraft used. The system helps to improve
operational efficiency by providing each aircraft with an optimal
flight path and shortening flight times.
The JAL Group
first decided to carry out the trials of UPR, as technical
advancements in aircraft devices and ATC systems have made it
easier to more accurately pinpoint an aircraft's position in the
air, and as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the
Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
(MLITT) have been conducting since November 2007 continuous safety
examinations of the usage of UPR on Japan - Hawaii routes.
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