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Air traffic controllers begin trial aiming to reduce Heathrow holding stacks Air traffic controllers begin trial aiming to reduce Heathrow holding stacks
(about 1 hour later)
The time aeroplanes spend circling Heathrow before landing could be cut as air traffic controllers join forces internationally in a trial.The time aeroplanes spend circling Heathrow before landing could be cut as air traffic controllers join forces internationally in a trial.
In an attempt to reduce the holding stacks of planes waiting to land at Britain's biggest airport, air traffic controllers in England will share data with colleagues in France, the Netherlands, Scotland and Ireland, allowing them to manage incoming traffic much further in advance and before planes enter UK airspace.In an attempt to reduce the holding stacks of planes waiting to land at Britain's biggest airport, air traffic controllers in England will share data with colleagues in France, the Netherlands, Scotland and Ireland, allowing them to manage incoming traffic much further in advance and before planes enter UK airspace.
The trial, which began on Monday and will last until the end of 2014, hopes to see the time planes spend in holding stacks around Heathrow, which cause extra noise and pollution, cut by at least 25%, or two minutes off the average eight-minute wait. The trial, which began on Tuesday and will last until the end of 2014, hopes to see the time planes spend in holding stacks around Heathrow, which cause extra noise and pollution, cut by at least 25%, or two minutes off the average eight-minute wait.
Martin Rolfe, the managing director of operations at Nats, which provides most of the UK's air traffic control services, said: "This is the first cross-border arrivals management trial of its kind anywhere in the world and a great example of partnership working for the benefit of our customers and a potential future model for the industry. We expect the trial to be a significant benefit to our airline customers in terms of fuel savings.Martin Rolfe, the managing director of operations at Nats, which provides most of the UK's air traffic control services, said: "This is the first cross-border arrivals management trial of its kind anywhere in the world and a great example of partnership working for the benefit of our customers and a potential future model for the industry. We expect the trial to be a significant benefit to our airline customers in terms of fuel savings.
"Slowing aircraft down during the en-route phase of flight when they are much higher will save fuel and CO2 emissions, while reducing the impact of noise for those living under the holding stacks in the south east of England.""Slowing aircraft down during the en-route phase of flight when they are much higher will save fuel and CO2 emissions, while reducing the impact of noise for those living under the holding stacks in the south east of England."