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IAA Shortlisted for 'Innovation in Action' Award

18 Feb 2013

February 2013: The IAA’s Point Merge airspace initiative has been shortlisted for the ‘Innovation in Action’ award by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport for the their 2013 Awards programme, in recognition of the cutting edge enhancements that have been introduced to streamline Dublin’s airspace.


This award recognises a transport initiative that has demonstrated true innovation and is presented to the team that can demonstrate a distinct new method to a challenging issue.

Point merge diagramThe IAA has met the challenge of improving air traffic management in Dublin’s airspace by introducing an innovative and environmentally friendly air traffic management system, known as Point Merge, which uses new air traffic management techniques to bring real benefits to our airline customers (reduction of fuel burn), reduced delays to passengers, and to the environment through reduced CO2 emissions.

The new system was successfully implemented in Dublin on the 13th December 2012, and is completely different from the traditional air traffic control techniques which are employed to date at airports throughout the world.
Point Merge air traffic management techniques assist airlines in flying more environmentally friendly Continuous Descent Approaches (CDAs) to Dublin airport. CDAs permit the aircraft to reduce their fuel burn by an average of 120kg of fuel (approximately €84.00 at aviation fuel prices) and 360kg of CO2 per arrival, depending on the aircraft size. Point Merge at Dublin almost eradicates the need to put aircraft into traditional circular holding patterns, thereby providing environmental benefits by cutting fuel burn and CO2 emissions, as well as reducing delays to passengers.


It also benefits airline pilots and air traffic controllers by harnessing the capabilities of both cockpit systems and air traffic control systems and by reducing their workload through relatively simplified procedures.


Point Merge has been introduced at Dublin without any investment requirement of the airline users. As a result of its introduction, the IAA is on the leading edge in the global development of air traffic management tools resulting in significant international interest in the new system.

Referring to the successful shortlisting, Peter Kearney, Director of ATM Operations and Strategy said, “Point Merge at Dublin is part of the IAAs continuing strategy to develop innovative new air traffic management solutions to provide a safe, efficient and cost effective services to our airline partners. We are delighted that the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport has shortlisted the IAA for the “Innovation in Action” Award 2013, in recognition of this world leading ATM development. The project is the result of over two years’ intensive research and development by a dedicated IAA project team in conjunction with Eurocontrol and supported by our civil and military partners in the UK-Ireland FAB”.

The awards ceremony will take place on the 21st March in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin 4. Click here for more information please regarding the ITLA Awards.
ENDS

For more information contact:
Tony Lane
Assistant Communications Officer
Tel: 01 603 1199 / 086 791 1864 Email: tony.lane@iaa.ie


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