Using NextGen concepts (FAA’s equivalent to CAA’s FAS) Alaska Airlines arrivals at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s runway 16R are delivering environmental, fuel and time savings as well as using less of the sky!
As part of the “Greener Skies” initiative to help airlines enhance operational efficiency, Boeing has designed and implemented precise Area Navigation, Required Navigation Performance – RNAV (RNP) approaches for airports, including Seattle-Tacoma International. Alaska Airlines recently has implemented these RNAV (RNP) procedures into operation, which increases airspace capacity, reduces carbon emissions and can decrease flight times through more efficient design. The Greener Skies initiative is part of the FAA’s plan to modernize the National Airspace System by 2025 – the Next Generation Air Transportation System.
Full Boeing report is here:
Boeing-Report-SEATAC-Alaska-Airlines-RNAV-RNP-summary.pdf