Dubai airport launches procedure to ease delays

dubai - The new procedure will reduce the peak arrival delay by up to 40 per cent and reduce carbon emissions

Dubai International airport has implemented an innovative procedure that will boost air traffic movements capacity and also reduce fuel consumption.

The new procedure will reduce the peak arrival delay by up to 40 per cent and also reduce carbon emissions by up to 447 tonnes on a monthly basis.

Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman of Dubai Airports, chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group and chairman of Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans), announced the implementation of the Approach Peak Offload (APO) procedure.

The air traffic management procedure has led to an increase from 33.2 to 34.8 in average air traffic movements for arrivals during peak hours at Dubai International Airport.

"Not only as we see better and speedier utilisation of DXB's runway use - it's benefitting airlines who can now better schedule flights to leave/arrive closer to their published times, despite the fact that the airport is handling more passengers and flights than ever before - especially when you consider Dubai is on track again for yet another record-breaking year for passenger traffic," Saj Ahmad, the chief analyst at StrategicAero Research, told Khaleej Times.

"Since smaller jets like the 777, A330, A320 and others do not create large wake vortices footprints behind them to the magnitude that the A380 does. This allows for faster runway clearance and taxi to the terminal, thereby allowing flights to land quicker in the queue behind," Ahmad explained.

Mohammed A. Ahli, director-general of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO of dans, said: "Developing and implementing procedures such as APO have enabled us to deliver enhanced air traffic management services and accommodate the rising demand of our clientele with up to 86 per cent during peak hours."

- business@khaleejtimes.com