Tells FAA It Supports The NextGen Approach Test

Seattle Chamber of Commerce CEO Phil Bussey recently wrote to FAA Administrator J. Randolph Babbitt, urging strong support of the "Greener Skies" initiative currently being evaluated by Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. "Not only does this project benefit the broader Puget Sound region," Bussey stated, "but it also represents an excellent building block for broader-scale implementation of 'NextGen' at airports throughout the nation."

As reported previously by ANN, the two airlines are using NextGen approaches at Sea-Tac airport, which could save as much as 175,000 gallons of jet fuel each month.  It could also reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 22,400 metric tons, and make airport operations quieter for three-quarters of a million people, according to the Seattle publication dBusiness News.

The Port of Seattle and Boeing are also involved in the evaluation process. NextGen approaches allow aircraft to use a steady rate of descent from altitude rather than the normal "step down" approach.

FMI: www.faa.gov