The Answer Is Blowing In The Wind

The high cost of fuel has financially fragile airlines looking for any way possible to save money. One idea in use at America West: Throttle back.

"We can slow down, save on fuel and still arrive on time," said Capt. CJ Szmal, who heads up the America West unit at ALPA.

AmWest calls it "variable speed scheduling." The concept is pretty simple. When you have a tailwind, use it. Reduce the power setting and save some money for the company.

That's vital for Arizona-based America West. Combined with overcapacity and the resulting fare wars, $55/barrel fuel has created a financial crisis that rivals the one following 9/11.

"It's a major focus of mine right now," America West VP for Flight Operations, Joe Chronic told the Arizona Republic. "It doesn't consume every waking hour, but it's a major issue."

Earlier this fall, America West did something else considered revolutionary in commercial aviation. Managers sat down with union leaders involved in operations that use fuel. Pilots, dispatchers, ramp workers, engineers and load planners all got together to figure out how to save fuel. Some of the measures they've instituted include one-engine taxiing. Sure, that might save only 100 gallons of fuel on the average taxi, but add that up across America West's fleet at $160 in savings on each flight... you're talking about some fairly serious money. Before the spike in fuel prices, single-engine taxi was used by only 30-percent or so of America West flights. Now, it's used on more than 70-percent.

The variable speed scheduling means analyzing different routes, looking for the most favorable winds. Still arriving on time or even early, that allows flight crews to save a surprising amount of fuel. "It's not unlike a car," Chronic told the Phoenix newspaper. "If you're going 75 to 80, you're going to burn more gas."

In November alone, America West dispatched about 70-percent of its flight on variable speed schedules.

Of course, if aircraft are using less fuel, then they can carry less fuel. Less fuel means less weight. Fuel loads are, in part, dictated by reserve minimums. So AmWest managers are now choosing their alternate landing sites much more carefully with fuel loads in mind. VP David Seymore says, for every 100 pounds of fuel, it takes 60 pounds just to carry it.

Then there's the concept of "tankering." The idea here is that fuel costs vary widely according to where it's bought. If a particular aircraft is going where fuel is cheaper, then it takes on a full load. Sure, it costs more to fly with a full load, but America West figures the city-by-city cost savings are worth it.

America West is also using off-board power to light, cool and heat aircraft between flights. And, on a grander scale, the company is installing blended winglets on its aircraft -- another cost-saving measure that can cut more than three-percent of a plane's fuel costs.

There isn't much good news when it comes to fuel prices. Airlines like America West are spending at least 25-percent more to gas up this year than at the same time last year. But if you're really looking for a reason to smile about all this, then consider: If and when the cost of fuel does come down, airlines that institute this sort of cost-cutting will be that much better off.

FMI: www.americawest.com