Media

Point Merge, a new system to sequence aircraft for landing, was successfully introduced by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

Point Merge is an innovative system which uses new air traffic management techniques to assist airlines in flying more environmentally friendly continuous descent approaches to an airport. Continuous Descent Approaches permit the aircraft to reduce their fuel burn by up to 250kgs per flight depending on the aircraft size. 

Point Merge at Dublin will greatly reduce the need to put aircraft into traditional holding patterns, thereby providing environmental benefits by cutting fuel burn and CO2 emissions, as well as reducing delays to passengers.

Rather than using traditional “race track pattern” holding stacks, Point Merge places arriving aircraft onto defined arcs or tracks, every point on which is equidistant from the runway.  From these arcs, the aircraft make one single turn and fly a continuous descent to the runway. 

Overall track miles flown by the aircraft and inefficient manoeuvring at low levels are reduced.

Point Merge is a component part of the Dublin Terminal Area 2012 Project (TMA 2012), which involves several other measures that work together to enhance the efficiency of the airspace surrounding Dublin airport. Additionally, a new air route for traffic departing from Dublin will help reduce air traffic congestion particularly during the busy morning period. 

The reorganisation of Dublin’s air traffic control (ATC) sectors will further enhance ATC efficiency, helping to maintain the IAA’s position as one of the lowest cost providers of Terminal Air Traffic Management services in Europe.

The TMA 2012 project is the result of over two years’ intensive research and development by a dedicated IAA project team in conjunction with Eurocontrol and supported by our civil and military partners in the UK-Ireland FAB.

Speaking in Dublin today, Peter Kearney, Director of Operations & ATM Strategy at the IAA said: ‘TMA 2012 is part of the Irish Aviation Authority’s continuing strategy to develop innovative new air traffic management solutions to provide safe, efficient and cost effective services to our airline partners’ - 

The IAA is a commercial State-sponsored body and receives no Government funding.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Tony Lane

Assistant Communications Officer

IAA Tel: 01 603 1199 / 086 791 1864