Brussels, 13/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - On 6 and 7 April, Air France and American Airlines carried out the first two full flights (door to door) as part of the transatlantic AIRE (Atlantic, Interoperability Initiative to Reduce Emissions) programme which seeks to cut harmful emissions and noise pollution by aircraft by making better use of existing navigation procedures (see EUROPE 9448). They were implemented on the two flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle airport and Miami and involved the air traffic control centres of France (DSNA), the UK (NATS), Portugal (Nav-Portugal) and the USA (FAA). Air France says that the coordinated application of these procedures during the flight cut CO2 emissions by 6-9 metric tons and saved 2-3 metric tons of fuel. During these two “green flights”, the companies enjoyed enhanced procedures in all phases of the flights (ground activities, the flights themselves, take-off and landing). Thus, coordination with the Paris and Miami airports shortened taxi-ing time, and coordination with the DSNA and the FAA allowed continuous climb and descent. Flying altitude and speed were also constantly selected to cut fuel consumption in conjunction with en route air traffic control centres. According to SESAR (the technical part of the European Single Sky which is seeking to modernise air traffic control in Europe), implementation of improved procedures, on all Air France long haul flights alone, would bring fuel savings of some 43,000 cubic tonnes per year. (A.By/transl.rt)