SEARCH 08.06.2020
First Free Route Flight Operated in the Russian Federation Airspace
On 4 June 2020, United Airlines operated flight UAL2865 from Chicago to Hong Kong via the Russian Federation airspace using a preferred flight trajectory and en-route waypoints whose geographical coordinates had been filed in the flight plan approved by the Main ATM Centre. This was made possible by the activities of the Working Group for the Development of Airspace Structure Improvement Proposals within Magadan ACC Oceanic Sector.
The flight ran smoothly and involved modern CNS technologies, including automatic dependent surveillance – contract (ADS-C) and controller – pilot data link communications (CPDLC). The total flight distance was 55.5 km (30 NM) shorter than it would have been had the flight been operated via fixed ATS routes. Flight time savings amounted to 5 minutes, and fuel savings to 800 kg (1,760 lbs). CO2 emissions were reduced by 2,460 kg (5,440 lbs). Free route airspace test operations involving all interested airlines will be continued. The Working Group for the Development of Airspace Structure Improvement Proposals within Magadan ACC Oceanic Sector is led by State ATM Corporation Deputy Director General Yuri Tokarev.
