SEARCH 06.08.2020
Free Route Airspace Trial Interim Results
On 4 August 2020, it has been two months since United Airlines operated the first flight via their preferred trajectory within the Russian Federation airspace. That event marked the beginning of a trial initiated by the Working Group for the Development of Airspace Structure Improvement Proposals within Magadan ACC Oceanic Sector.
Five airlines currently use free routes within Magadan ACC oceanic sector, namely AirBridgeCargo, United Airlines, Korean Air, China Southern Airlines, and Asiana Airlines. In total, 23 flights have been operated to date.
The FRA implementation has allowed reducing total flight time by approximately two hours, fuel consumption by 13.5 tonnes, and CO2 emissions by 39 tonnes. The fuel savings alone have enabled airlines participating in the trial to cut their costs by almost one million roubles. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the initiatives undertaken by the Working Group for the Development of Airspace Structure Improvement Proposals allow not only reducing airline costs, but also increasing overflight traffic via the Russian Federation area of responsibility.
