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Britain’s aviation industry has come together to reach an important environmental milestone, turning the normal Saturday evening service from Heathrow to Edinburgh into the UK’s first “perfect flight”.
To the passengers it seemed just like an ordinary flight but every factor within the journey – from pushback from the stand and taxiing to an optimised flight profile and continuous descent approach – was calibrated to achieve minimal emissions and delay.
Data from the 19.30 British Airways BA1462 flight will now be gathered and analysed, together with air traffic control and airport information, to understand the benefits. Initially, it is believed up to a quarter tonne of fuel could be saved, equating to nearly one tonne of CO2.
NATS and BA worked with BAA at Heathrow and Edinburgh to achieve this landmark flight, which was proposed by NATS’ Andy Sampson and Kel Kirkland. Kel said: “Unlocking each individual link in the chain on a single flight is not easy. Everyone has had a part to play.
“It will be some time before we can expect to see the “perfect flight” replicated day in, day out but we have demonstrated it is possible and we can work towards it in the long-term.”
BA Strategy and Environment Manager Dean Plumb said: “This highlights what can be achieved if every individual part of a flight is optimised. The data obtained should show that what seemed to be a normal, scheduled flight actually achieved something extraordinary.”
BAA Heathrow Airside Operations Director Colin Wood said: “This flight is a great example of what can be achieved when the aviation industry works together.
“The benefits should include reduced taxi time, lower carbon emissions, improved air and noise quality and lower airline fuel costs. We are always looking for ways to improve the environmental efficiency of ground operations at our airports and trials such as this are fundamental in delivering new procedures and technologies.”
The Airbus A321 was able to fly without the everyday but necessary constraints imposed on air traffic because it was a one-off. It was also able to fly at its most fuel-efficient altitude for longer than usual.
The information from the flight will be shared with the UK industry coalition Sustainable Aviation to support its aim of reducing aircraft emissions to 2000 levels by 2050. NATS, BA and BAA are all members.
A new take-off procedure for the A380 ‘superjumbo’, which saves on fuel and emits less CO2, has been developed at Heathrow.
It will be used immediately on Singapore Airlines flights and details are being sent to other A380 users.
Making maximum use of the aircraft’s sophisticated electronics, a team of experts from BAA, NATS, Singapore Airlines and Airbus has devised the departure procedure which is more efficient – yet still within the airport’s strict noise limits.
It is estimated that the new scheme can save an additional 300kg of fuel per flight, equating to one metric tonne of emissions of CO2 on a flight to Singapore, as well as reducing NOx emissions.
The companies worked together over the last year to develop the new airline procedure, which has been put into place immediately. Singapore Airlines A380s departing Heathrow now use less power when taking off, saving fuel and reducing NOx emissions. Once a height of 1,500 feet has been reached, the aircraft uses flexible acceleration up to 4,000 feet, before continuing its journey.
“The A380 represents the most significant step forward in reducing aircraft fuel burn and resultant emissions in four decades whilst offering greater comfort on board,” said Tom Williams, executive vice president programmes, Airbus.
“In fact, the A380 consumes less than three litres of fuel per passenger per 100 km.”
Jane Dawes, operational noise and air quality manager from BAA Heathrow said, “The Airbus A380 is already the most fuel efficient aircraft in commercial service, burning 17% less fuel per passenger than other large aircraft. By 2020 one in ten flights at Heathrow could use A380s. It is important that we work constantly with our airlines to improve operating processes, and the introduction of these new departure procedures demonstrates our commitment to reducing emissions.”
Captain Gerard Yeap, senior vice president flight operations, Singapore Airlines, “Our cooperation with Heathrow, NATS and Airbus goes to show what can be achieved when stakeholders share the same goal of reducing carbon emissions and fuel burn. Singapore Airlines is committed to playing its part in ensuring greener skies and sustainable air travel, and we hope this partnership will serve as a model for airport operators and governments elsewhere in the world.”
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