Page 10 - AAA MAY-JUNE 2012 Online Magazine

NEWS

Green lights
Thanks to new technology from
infrastructure experts ADB,
airports will be able to reduce their
Efficiency tips environmental impact with energy
-efficient runway lights. “In a world
737 Boeing’s new winglet design for the A320neo line. Both manufacturers which is increasingly conscious of
the 737 MAX will boost total fuel-burn are coming close to design finalisation – the need for environment-friendly
economy up to 5.5% compared to the Boeing’s Teal said the company has now practices, airports must adapt
best current wingtip technology, said closed aerodynamic studies, and said to make their operations more
Michael Teal, chief project engineer, 737 his team is “closing in on finalising the energy-efficient,” asserted Christian
MAX. “The Advanced Technology winglet configuration ... to ensure we meet our Onselaere, CEO at ADB.
demonstrates Boeing’s continued drive to commitment on-schedule.” The design ADB’s AD-lights use LED light
improve fuel burn and the corresponding brings the extra efficiency through sources to light runway and taxiway
value to the customer,” he asserted. reduced drag, while still fitting current areas, and can reduce power
Boeing claims an overall 18% fuel- airport gate constraints. The 737MAX consumption by up to 70% compared
burn per-seat improvement on current has notched up 1,000 orders to date, with to conventional systems. Recently
A320 consumption, although Airbus is full-efficiency aircraft slated for delivery installed at Paris CDG (France) and
countering with a similar saving claim for in 2017, said Boeing. Manchester International Airport (UK),
London Gatwick, Liège (Belgium) and
EU - Israel agreement Treviso (Italy) airports are to install
similar systems soon. The systems
The European Community and the for Israeli and European airlines and can use alternative power supplies
Government of Israel have signed passengers, as it remove the legal through pulse-width modulation, and
an aviation agreement removing uncertainty from the bilateral air offer impressive overall efficiency and
nationality restrictions for air services services agreements,” said Antonio low power consumption. ADB also
between EU states and Israel. This Tajani, Vice-President of the European offers photovoltaic solar-powered
will allow any EU airline to operate Commission, responsible for Industry lights that not only offer energy savings
flights between any EU member and Entrepreneurship. The agreement but also reduce the cost of installation,
state and Israel where a bilateral is an “important step” said the cabling and safety works. Advanced
agreement with Israel exists and EU, and will strengthen EU-Israel control systems make efficient use
traffic rights are available. “The relations and encourage aviation of energy by switching lights on only
agreement signed today is good news traffic between the EU and Israel. where and when needed.

10 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS MAY / JUNE 2012 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM