Two years ago, Boeing and Alaska Airlines teamed to promote a pilot project called Greener Skies over Seattle.
The Association of Washington Business (AWB) thought it was a good idea and contacted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and members of Congress asking them to support it.
The FAA awarded Boeing a $3.1 million contract last October to implement the initiative. Now it is moving along to the point where the FAA will conduct environmental review meetings next week in Federal Way and Shorelines on January 25 and 26, respectively.
Greener Skies uses satellite-based flight guidance technology to enable aircraft to descend more efficiently and safely into SeaTac International Airport, resulting in a reduction of aircraft fuel consumption, emissions and noise in the Puget Sound region.
In intial testing of Greener Skies over Seattle, Alaska Airlines was able save fuel and reduce emissions by 35 percent compared to a conventional landing by using precision navigation called Required Navigation Performance (RNP).
Carriers equipped to fly these procedures will save a combined 2 million gallons of fuel per year or more, which equates to a savings of 22,400 metric tons of Co2 or removing 4,100 cars off the road each year.
