The Hindu Business Line : EU airlines may gain from reduced `vertical separation'

AIRLINES in Europe are expected to attain savings of around $4.6 billion annually with the implementation of the reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM).

The RVSM has lately taken effect on major air traffic routes between Asia, West Asia and Europe. Airlines in the North Pacific will benefit to the extent of $8 million every year thanks to reduced fuel costs.

According to ICAO Journal, a publication of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the minimum vertical separation between aircraft on major air traffic routes between Asia, West Asia and Europe has been reduced to 1,000 ft from 2,000 ft earlier. Besides enhancing the availability of efficient cruising levels, the RSVM would reduce fuel burn and, therefore, there would be lesser air pollution as well.

The RVSM implementation process had been initiated under the aegis of ICAO in 1997 in co-operation with the International Air Transport Association, Eurocontrol, International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations, International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations and the aviation industry.

While the RVSM was initially implemented in the North Atlantic airspace, gradually it was implemented in Europe, South Atlantic, Pacific and South East Asia.

The next stage in the RVSM implementation in the Asian region is being planned with Japan and the Republic of Korea.

The implementation process, which is likely to be completed by the second half of 2005, would be done in the Naha, Tokyo (non-oceanic) and Incheon flight information regions. .