03 December 2009

Qantas RNP technology for Melbourne

MELBOURENE - QantasÃ¢â¬â¢ B737-800 Melbourne services are now deploying Required Navigational Performance (RNP) technology.

Qantas says the technology has delivered proven environmental benefits since the airline first began trialling RNP procedures in 2004.

Melbourne joins other major airports such as Adelaide, Canberra and Sydney, as well as Queenstown, New Zealand, as ports where Qantas has deployed this technology.

Qantas corporate affairs chief, David Epstein, said the airlineÃ¢â¬â¢s investment in RNP was a significant part of its commitment to community and environmental sustainability.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœRNP utilizes Global Position System technology that allows pilots to optimize flight approach and departure tracks.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThis results in shorter flight paths which reduces impact on the community as we donÃ¢â¬â¢t have aircraft in the air as long, and of course, reduces QantasÃ¢â¬â¢ carbon footprint by limiting the amount of fuel emissions we are generating,Ã¢â¬~ he said.

RNP greatly improves the ability of pilots to approach and depart from ports that, without this technology, are difficult to navigate in poor weather.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThis also ensures that we minimize the amount of weather related delays. It is often the case that our RNP equipped B737-800 aircraft can land in bad weather, where other aircraft canÃ¢â¬â¢t,Ã¢â¬~ Epstein said.