Farnborough, United Kingdom -- GE is supporting Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras' (Azul) in obtaining regulatory authorization to fly Required Navigation Performance - Authorization Required (RNP AR) flight procedures in its fleet of Embraer 190/195 aircraft. Upon approval, the airline will become one of the first in Brazil permitted to fly RNP AR, improving airport accessibility and reducing operational costs through reduced fuel burn and flight delays.
"This is the first step in enabling network-wide RNP benefits for the airline," said Giovanni Spitale, general manager of GE's Performance-based Navigation (PBN) Services. "Azul will be able to grow their operations efficiently to meet increasing demands."
GE also will support procedure design development that integrates Azul's fleet with the existing RNP AR procedures at Santos Dumont in Rio de Janeiro, designed by Brazil's air navigation service provider DECEA. The procedures enable properly-equipped aircraft to make a continuous decent approach (CDA), while reducing CO2 emissions and noise, which is of great importance for the residents near Santos Dumont airport.
"The integration of RNP AR into our fleet of GPS-equipped Embraer aircraft will give us horizontal and vertical guidance to each runway, while improving our economic and ecological operations," said Flávio Costa, Chief Operating Officer of Azul Airlines. "Azul also will be able to utilize the fuel efficient flight paths for daily operations at Santos Dumont airport."
In May, GE's PBN experts supported DECEA on the design, validation and deployment of the initial procedures at Santos Dumont. Brazil's aviation regulator ANAC validated and approved the procedures for operational use.
Brazil's air traffic is expected to increase from four million to eight million passengers per month by 2014; a year in which the country will host the World Cup. In addition, Rio de Janeiro is to host the 2016 Olympics. Spitale adds: "These events will bring hundreds of thousands of spectators to the region. By implementing RNP AR paths, Brazil's air traffic management system will be able to accommodate the increased air traffic while improving flight delays and fuel efficiency."
RNP AR is the highest-performing type of PBN procedure. PBN technology allows aircraft to fly precisely-defined flight paths without relying on ground-based radio-navigation signals. RNP procedures can be designed to shorten the distance an aircraft has to fly en-route, and to reduce fuel burn, exhaust emissions and noise pollution in communities near airports. Because of RNP's precision and reliability, the technology can help air traffic controllers reduce flight delays and alleviate air traffic congestion.
About Azul Brazilian Airlines Azul Brazilian Airlines has changed the landscape of Brazilian commercial aviation. With over 10% domestic market share, Azul is the third largest airline in Brazil, connecting 49 destinations, 48 cities, with more than 400 daily flights. In addition to 53 Brazilian cities served by the company's aircraft, Azul serves 8 additional points via convenient bus connections. Azul currently operates a fleet of 54 aircraft including 43 jets (33 Embraer 195 and 10 Embraer 190s) and 12 turboprops (8 ATR 72-600 and 4 ATR 72-200). To date, Azul has served more than 19 million customers. Its mission: to stimulate air travel and boost the Brazilian economy using a simple formula: low prices and high quality service. The company's success has drawn recognition not only within Brazil, but internationally: In 2011, Azul was voted the 'Best Airline in Brazil' by both Travel and Tourism and Flight Revue magazines; Awarded title of 'Best Low-Cost Airline in Latin America' by Skytrax. Was recognized as "One of The World's 30 Hottest Brands' by Advertising Age in New York. Learn more at www.voeazul.com.br.
GE develops and implements technologies that provide significant economic and environmental benefits to airlines, airports and the communities they serve. With high-resolution geospatial earth imagery, PBN design and deployment and flight management systems, GE is building the foundation of air traffic management modernization. GE Aviation provides the technologies to enhance overall flight operations, fuel efficiency, flight planning, navigation and scheduling. Learn more about GE's ATM solutions at: www.geaviation.com
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