Europe Accelerates CDA Approaches

European organizations in late March announced a “joint action plan” to reduce aircraft C02 emissions by implementing continuous descent approaches (CDAs) at up to 100 airports by the end of 2013.

The plan, announced at the 4th Aviation and Environment Summit in Geneva, aims to reduce C02 emissions by more than 500,000 tonnes annually. The action plan was developed by 19 organizations and companies across Europe, including air navigation service providers, manufacturers, airports, and airlines. Organizations joining in the announcement were ACI Europe, CANSO, Eurocontrol and IATA.

In a CDA, the aircraft flies a smooth rather than a stepped approach to an airport, reducing fuel burn, emissions and noise.