Dubai, GE Aviation has been selected by Emirates airline to provide GE's airline-based flow management system for a 16-month validation at Dubai International Airport. To commence in July, 2012, according to GE Aviation, the airline's "FLOW Project" will allow the airline to reduce fuel and delay costs and improve their hub passenger-connection schedule at Dubai International Airport by sequencing and spacing the company's arrivals according to Emirates' commercial priorities.

"GE's FLOW solution will optimize Emirates' traffic flows within the existing air traffic control system," said Giovanni Spitale, general manager of GE's PBN Services. "This service will give Emirates increased control over their arrivals and hub schedule, helping to significantly reduce costs of operation."

Under the agreement, GE Aviation will provide the installation, integration and service of the FLOW aircraft arrival management system. Installation is currently taking place at the Emirates Operations Control Center at the Emirates Group Headquarters with entry into service expected to begin in the autumn of 2012.

"Emirates has collaborated with GE Aviation to implement the new flow management system here in Dubai. We anticipate that GE's flow system will bring significant enhancements to our arrival flow in Dubai, leading to an increased aircraft landing rate and runway utilisation. This will improve efficiency, reduce fuel burn and add to our passenger connectivity," stated Captain Alan Stealey, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President of Flight Operations.

GE's FLOW system will be powered by ATH Group's Attila software. Attila is an airline-based flow management system that provides Required Time of Arrival (RTA) recommendations to each Emirates aircraft to pre-condition the arrival flow into Dubai. The system is capable of taking into account elements like Emirates' passenger connections, gate availability and fuel consumption.

Source: GE Aviation