EU Moves To Straighten Air Routes, Cut Fuel Burn

European lawmakers approved a plan on Wednesday aimed at straightening commercial air routes to cut fuel costs and carbon dioxide emissions growth from increasing numbers of aircraft.

Airlines, which contribute about 3 percent of Europe’s CO2 output, waste millions of tonnes of fuel as they zig-zag between national airspaces in the 27-country European Union.
The Single European Sky II plan could cut billions of euros from airlines’ annual costs as they head into a recession that industry bodies say could cut traffic by 5 percent this year.

“These proposals lead to a modernization of air traffic management which will render air transport more feasible, more sustainable and safer,” European Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani said.

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