Qantas is looking at suitable destinations in its network for use of required navigation performance (RNP) procedures, following the initial use of the navigation technique into Queenstown, New Zealand.
The airline has been approved to use RNP RNAV procedures at Queenstown by the Australian and New Zealand aviation authorities – the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority respectively – following a nine-month programme. The procedures were developed by Seattle-based navigation solution provider Naverus, which has developed more than 100 RNP RNAV procedures for airlines, including Air New Zealand and WestJet.
Queenstown was the initial destination in the project as it is surrounded by rugged terrain, which meant the Australian carrier previously had to use supplemental crew and a reduced passenger load to overcome the challenges presented by the airport.
Source: Flight International
