Introduction to Airspace Modernization and Its Necessity
Recent studies, including one conducted by easyJet, have highlighted a critical inefficiency in the European aviation sector—outdated airspace design. This inefficiency not only increases flight times but significantly raises fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. With the aviation industry under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, the case for modernizing airspace has never been more compelling.
Detailed Analysis of Current Airspace Inefficiencies
The study by easyJet utilized advanced AI technologies to analyze the carbon impact of airspace inefficiencies on all its flights over the past year. The findings were alarming, revealing that modernizing airspace could lead to a reduction of more than 10% in emissions. Specifically, the study identified that poor airspace design increased CO2 emissions by 10.62%, equating to 663,710 tons of CO2. The most affected countries include the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Spain, and Switzerland.
Exploring the Phases of Flight Affected by Inefficiencies
Inefficiencies were observed in all phases of flight, with notable issues during the descent phase due to inadequate lower airspace design near airports. The study pointed out that seven of the ten least efficient routes for easyJet were inbound into London-Gatwick Airport, a region already struggling with high demand and capacity constraints.
The climb phase was marked by inefficient departures from major airports like London-Gatwick, Milan Malpensa, and Paris-Charles de Gaulle. The study suggests that redesigning airspace to support Continuous Climb Operations (CCO) could significantly enhance efficiency by allowing aircraft to reach cruising altitude more smoothly.
During the cruise phase, the upper airspaces over Italy, the UK, France, and Spain were highlighted as particularly problematic due to outdated procedures and limited airspace flexibility. Implementing Cross-Border Free Route Airspace Operations would allow for more direct routes, reducing unnecessary fuel burn.
The descent phase saw inefficiencies especially in the UK and Italy, where complex arrival procedures led to longer flight times and increased fuel consumption. Redesigning these procedures to allow for Continuous Descent Approaches (CDAs) could mitigate these issues significantly.
Recommendations and Conclusion
EasyJet’s study offers clear recommendations for airspace modernization, including the urgent redesign of terminal airspace procedures and the adoption of modern navigation approaches like Required Navigation Performance with Authorization Required (RNP-AR). These changes would not only reduce emissions but also improve the overall passenger experience by decreasing flight times.
Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, emphasized the necessity of immediate action, criticizing the current bureaucratic processes that hinder progress. He asserts that modernizing the airspace corridors, established in the 1950s, is not only crucial for CO2 reduction but also for enhancing operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction.
The call for modernization is urgent, and it requires collaborative efforts from policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders to realize these significant environmental and operational gains.