Qantas B737-800 services into and out of Broome, Kalgoorlie,
Karratha and Mount Isa Airports will become more fuel-efficient when the airline
commences proving flights utilising Required Navigation Performance (RNP) technology.Qantas Chief Pilot Captain Chris Manning said the Qantas Group was a pioneer of this
technology in the Southern Hemisphere.
“Qantas has been operating the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approved flight
trials into other Australian airports at Sydney, Canberra, Gold Coast, Townsville, Hobart,
Ayers Rock Uluru and Alice Springs since 2006. We have also been operating flights to
Queenstown, New Zealand, since September 2004.
“Required Navigation Performance procedures utilises Global Positioning System (GPS)
technology to optimise flight approach and departure tracks, reducing fuel consumption
and emissions, enhancing safety and providing access to airports in reduced weather
conditions.”
Captain Manning said RNP technology provided:
- more reliable and predictable flight paths;
- time and fuel savings;
- shorter route distances;
- reduced aircraft emissions; and
- reduced aircraft noise.
“Qantas and AirServices Australia have undertaken extensive environmental assessments
in each city to ensure the trials are not detrimental to the environment or to residents in
local communities.
“I’d like to reassure residents that while they may see Qantas aircraft taking different flight
paths than they are used to seeing, there are no other changes to our services as a result
of these trials that will continue into 2010,” Captain Manning said.
Qantas has 34 B737-800 aircraft in the fleet. The airline operates 10 B737-800 services to
Broome, 11 services to Kalgoorlie, 20 to Karratha and three to Mount Isa each week.
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