[oz_mark]

From Jets to glide into NZ on fuel trial - New Zealand's source for travel news on Stuff.co.nz

Big passenger jets are set to glide into Auckland International Airport from next month in a trial to save fuel and reduce air pollution.

Airways New Zealand said it had been working with Air New Zealand and Qantas for jumbo jets to reduce fuel use and emissions as the aircraft came into land.

The procedure was safe and flights into Auckland would be spaced to allow a glide descent into the airport from their top of descent point, Airways New Zealand main trunk manager Lew Jenkins said

Facsinating idea, but I wonder how viable from an ATC point of view this is.

[NYCguy]

Originally Posted by oz_mark

... I wonder how viable from an ATC point of view this is.

Probably more viable at AKL than at LHR, CDG or ORD.

[Commuter]

Originally Posted by NYCguy

Probably more viable at AKL than at LHR, CDG or ORD.

I agree.

[NM]

And do remember that they don't plan to glide all the way to the runway. The engines will be spool up again at around 500 feet, just in case they need to go-around. This plan makes good sense at an airport like AKL and could be applied to most airports in Australia as well, at least for long portions of the day.

[Kiwi Flyer]

I've read (elsewhere) that to start with will be the flights from USA, which arrive early am when there is no domestic traffic.

[simongr]

You know something about KiwiFlyer's response to this coming out on 1 April makes me a tad intrigued about this article...