WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

This article describes how airlines plan to cope with rising fuel prices, which the International Air Transport Association (IATA) claims is the “biggest crisis facing the airspace user today.” The primary effort seems to be aimed at reducing waste. IATA is working with airlines to improve fuel efficiency and has developed a strategy to reduce time in the air by streamlining route structures and creating more optimum routes. Other measures include a Save One Minute campaign that hopes to raise awareness in the air traffic control community regarding the economic effects that its actions have on airlines. Minor adjustments could save the amount of time that an airliner is in the air and mitigate environmental effects as well. IATA is also working to identify airports in each of its seven regions that could benefit from redesigning its terminal airspace for greater efficiency.