Evaluating the Benefits of Flying Wind-Optimal Trajectory Inside the Pacific Airspace

Abstract

It has been shown that flights can potentially achieve a significant amount of fuel burn reduction by flying the wind-optimal trajectories. This study estimates the benefits of flying the wind-optimal trajectory in the Pacific airspace using a simulation approach. Using the forecast of the 2020 traffic in the airspace, we found that airlines can save about 14,600 flight hours and 14 million gallons of fuel by using the wind-optimal trajectories inside the airspace. Depending on the Jet-A fuel price, the monetary value of the fuel savings ranges from 13 million dollars to 30 million dollars. There will also be a significant reduction in the workload of air traffic controllers and pilots.