Air France is to contribute its A380 operations to a programme aimed at reducing emissions on transatlantic services.
The airline is to participate in a transatlantic 'green flights' trial using the A380 on Air France's route between New York JFK and Paris Charles de Gaulle.
Air France is joining an Airbus-led consortium and partners including the UK's NATS, Nav Canada and the US FAA in a trial linked to the Single European Sky initiative.
The trial, known as AIRE2, is the second stage of an examination of Atlantic interoperability.
Air France will participate with the A380 flights in the fourth quarter of this year, over an interval of six to eight weeks, using optimised taxiing procedures at New York as well as during the en route sector.
Under the procedures the A380 will be able to taxi on just two engines while, during the transatlantic crossing, the aircraft will follow a flexible trajectory.
The trajectory, says Airbus, will capitalise on the A380's optimum cruise altitude above FL390.
"What we trial today with the A380 will contribute to setting tomorrow's standards," says Airbus executive vice-president of engineering Charles Champion.
Airbus estimates that each A380 flight could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3t against current procedures.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
