Citation
(2009), "Air New Zealands achieves RNP-AR capability", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 81 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2009.12781bab.024
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Air New Zealands achieves RNP-AR capability
Article Type: News and views From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 81, Issue 2
Air New Zealand has become the first Airbus operator in the world to have its entire Airbus fleet approved by “Required Navigation Performance Authorisation Required” (RNP-AR) as it introduces RNP-AR operations between Sydney and Queenstown.
RNP-AR enhances accessibility by enabling specially trained pilots to fly to lower altitudes with a more precise and efficient route into the airport, saving fuel and emissions and helping reduce the impact of bad weather on services. The airline has fitted the new technology onto its fleet of 13 A320s, which operate services across the Tasman region. The airline received its RNP certification for the A320 fleet from the country’s Civil Aviation Authority on 18 September 2008 following the successful completion of a comprehensive nine-month trial programme.
RNP offers a range of commercial and environmental benefits. Because of its high-precision capability it can reduce noise emissions, and significantly reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by using much shorter, curved approaches to airports.
Captain Philip Kirk, A320 RNP Project Manager at Air New Zealand tells the Airbus Letter. “Air New Zealand is proud to have its entire A320 Fleet upgraded to RNP-AR capability following recent ‘Operations Specification’ approval from our CAA. Our initial interest in RNP-AR capability is obviously driven by our operations at Queenstown, a terrain challenged airport in the South Island of New Zealand. Moreover, we anticipate a step change in the level of airport accessibility and schedule integrity by utilising this operational capability.”
He adds that Air New Zealand would be working with regulatory bodies over the coming year to investigate how it can use the technology to reduce fuel consumption and emissions on A320 services into other airports in New Zealand and Australia.