North Atlantic space-based ADS-B trial reaches next milestone

The transformation of air traffic services over the North Atlantic has taken another step forward this month with the trial introduction of new reduced lateral aircraft separations.

The minimum distance between aircraft ‘wing tip to wing tip’ has been reduced from 23 to 19 nautical miles (nm), enabling greater flexibility in how available airspace capacity is used.

It follows the reduction in the minimum safe ‘nose to tail’ separation between aircraft from 40nm to 14nm in March and represents another step towards the end of the traditional system of rigid oceanic tracks, something that will give airlines greater opportunity to fly the most efficient routes and levels, reducing fuel burn and harmful emissions.

Read More.