Aircraft engines have become quieter but an aircraft’s flight path can also help reduce noise levels by following a smooth descent down to the runway threshold rather than a conventional stepped approach. Up until now, these continuous descent operations (CDOs) have been restricted to low and medium traffic density environments due to their impact on airport capacity. By combining it with point merge techniques, SESAR has extended the solution so it can be applied to high-density traffic environments at a lower altitude and in a small and very constrained airspace.

This solution is implemented in Austria, Germany, France, Hungary and Ireland and planned in Italy, Lithuania, Latvia and Portugal.

SJU references: #11/Release 5

Benefits

• Reduced fuel burn and emissions ƒ
• Reduced environmental impact of airports on their neighbouring communities ƒ
• Noise reduction