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A green approach means that an aircraft descends continuously from its cruising altitude to the runway. By descending continuously, the aircraft requires almost no engine thrust, thereby saving fuel and reducing emissions.
Air traffic controllers and pilots plan each aircraft approach together
Since the computer on board an aircraft is in continuous contact with ground equipment, its entire flight can be adapted to an exact predetermined landing time. This means that an air traffic controller and a pilot can together plan an even approach − the plane “coasts” downward instead of descending in stages, which is the standard procedure. Such an approach can save an average of 150 kg of fuel and 450 kg of carbon dioxide emissions.
Green approaches also mean that noise will decrease somewhat in the proximity of the airport because the aircraft does not need to produce engine thrust at lower altitudes.
More than 30 per cent green approaches
Experiments using green approach to Stockholm Arlanda are being carried out jointly by Swedavia, formerly LFV, international air traffic control organisations and SAS. Today they are executed by some 60 different airlines. To date, it has only been possible to carry out green approaches during off-peak traffic periods, since it is not possible to mix green and conventional approaches during peak traffic.