Auckland Pioneers Landing Technique

Auckland International Airport is leading the world in trialling a landing method designed to reduce fuel use and emissions. Beginning April 18, the test landings will see selected Air NZ and Qantas jets glide into the airport with engines set on idle. “We’ve chosen only a very small group of aircraft to participate. [These planes] typically arrive at times of the day other traffic is light,” said airport spokesman Lew Jenkins. If successful, the program may be tested by airports such as LAX in future.