Flying Through Greener Skies

The friendly skies are also greener skies at Alaska Airlines. The northwest carrier is trying out a new technology called Required Navigation Performance, GreenBiz.com reports, that allows the plane to descend continuously. Planes usually use a stair-step approach to landing. A continuous descent reduces flight-path length, cutting down on emissions and decreasing noise pollution.

The program, called "Greener Skies," is being tested at one of Alaska's hubs at Seattle-Tacoma Airport. The airline estimates that at this location alone the new technology will be able to cut down on carbon emissions by 22,000 metric tons annually, equal to taking 4,100 cars off the road. The downgraded noise pollution will also be music to the ears of the 750,000 residents living in Sea-Tac's flight corridor. The airline says the program will undergo tests for the rest of the year and will be integrated into commercial operations in 2010 pending approval from the FAA.

With high fuel costs contributing to the bankruptcy of the airline industry, Alaska's plan has positive repercussions for the business, too. Test runs of the procedure have shown an estimated 2.1 million gallons of fuel could be saved in Seattle alone.

Sounds like another case of what's good for the planet is good for business, too.

Photos courtesy of Alaska Airlines.