Alaska Air tests technology.

• Author: Pounds, Nancy
• Position: Inside Alaska Business

Alaska Airlines demonstrated in a test flight over Puget Sound procedures that burned less fuel and reduced emissions by 35 percent compared to a regular landing. The flight was part of Alaska Air Group's Greener Skies project at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport focused on using satellite-based guidance technology pioneered by Alaska Airlines to fly more efficient landing procedures that will reduce environmental impacts in the region. The Seattle-based airline, in cooperation with the Port of Seattle, Boeing and other airlines serving Sea-Tac, is seeking Federal Aviation Administration approval for the procedures, which could be used by all properly equipped carriers at Sea-Tac.

Alaska Airlines began testing on the project last summer and has flown two other test flights. Representatives from Alaska Airlines, Boeing, the FAA and the Port of Seattle participated in the most recent demonstration to observe the level of flight path precision and fuel consumption on eight landing approaches in a...