Developing an airspace structure for green en-route North Atlantic Track System (NATS) using Continuously Increasing Altitude Operations (CIAO)

The aviation industry recognizes its obligation to fly more sustainably to the environment. According to a study conducted by Oxford University, improving flight management is the most effective way to reduce aircraft emissions quickly. In the existing system, rising traffic volumes between Europe and North America result in excessive fuel consumption, fewer approvals for fuel-efficient flight routes and schedule delays. Due to passenger demand, time zone variations, a restricted economical height band and strong winds known as jet streams, the available airspace in the North Atlantic area is very congested during peak hours. Flight prediction and control are especially challenging in this non-radar airspace. Flying on less-than-ideal trajectories and altitude profiles increases fuel consumption and trip costs. The purpose of this thesis is to develop a concept by allowing Continuously Increasing Altitude Operations (CIAO) for greener en-route trajectories that could save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions of commercial aircraft flying through North Atlantic Track System (NATS), hereafter the New Concept. A quantitative and qualitative examination of NATS flights was conducted in order to create a unique flight guiding and routing concept. According to research and analytical assessments and comparing the flight data of German Aerospace Center (DLR), Icelandic Civil Aviation Administration (ISAVIA) and Canada's Civil Air Navigation System (NAV CANADA), there is the potential to save up to 1.5% only by altitude optimization within the cruise phase. There are also ways to save more fuel by adjusting the flight speed or using other optimization methods such as flight guidance or non-flight guidance solutions. Numerous scenarios were generated and data on fuel and CO2 were computed and examined. This study aims to allow airlines to change their altitude in a preferred manner. The main goal is to minimize CO2 emissions and help to prevent global warming. Within the presented New Concept, the aircraft are able to increase their altitude continuously, while they can change their preferred flight altitude dynamically. Airlines may save per aircraft up to 489 t on fuel annually only during the cruise phase by operating the provided New Concept. Applied to all Shanwick flights in 2018 with 500,000 flights, this might save up to 340,000 t on fuel. If the entire horizontal track length of NATS is roughly 2000 NM, a large commercial aircraft (Airbus A380) can reduce CO2 emissions in Gander and Shanwick by up to 1,700 t per year by flying twice a day throughout the year. In the future, more research should be done specifically on the details of this work. Furthermore, simulation and trial implementation of the proposed Concept should be conducted. Any implementation of the New Concept for NATS might be easier than any entirely new track system constellation. The majority of the NATS regulations may be kept, with just minor adjustments.

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