In the current issue of Alaska Airlines Magazine, CEO Bill Ayers talks about the fuel savings and greenhouse gas reductions under its Greener Skiesinitiative launched last year with Boeing and the Port of Seattle.
Alaska Airlines has been upgrading its fleet with modern fuel efficient Boeing 737s. Alaska, a pioneer in developing systems to land aircraft more safely in foggy and stormy weather, now is employing Required Navigation Performance (RNP) measures. Rather than stair-stepping landings, which burn more fuel as engines accelerate to level off during approaches, Alaska is using satellite-based gliding technology much the same as the Space Shuttle uses on its landings.
Ayers writes: "Combined fuel savings, if all equipped carriers at SeaTac follow these next generation procedures, could exceed 2 million gallons each year and reducing carbon emissions by 22,000 metric tons. That is equivalent of taking 4,100 cars off the road every year."
Alaska and other airlines are undertaking these initiatives without the prodding of federal or state legislation or mandates. They are doing it because it was a way to stay in business. Saving fuel costs and being more environmentally friendly make good business sense. Market-based, free enterprise works.
Don C. Brunell, President (DonB@awb.org)
