Alaska Airlines is First Carrier to Use RNP Precision Approach Technology at Reagan National Airport

Alaska Airlines announced today it is the first U.S. air carrier to use RNP precision approach technology to land aircraft at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C.

RNP, or Required Navigation Performance, technology allows an aircraft to fly safer and more reliable approaches and landings. Rather than relying exclusively on ground-based navigational aids, an RNP-guided approach uses a combination of onboard navigation technology and the Global Positioning System satellite network.

Alaska pioneered the application of RNP technology during the mid-1990s to help aircraft land at some of the world’s most remote and geographically challenging airports in the state of Alaska. Recognizing the safety and environmental advantages of RNP approaches and landings, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has worked diligently to make RNP procedures publicly available to all airlines that operate at Reagan National.

"Alaska Airlines applauds the Federal Aviation Administration, and specifically thanks FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, for making these safety-enhancing RNP flight paths available to the broader airline community," said Kevin Finan, Alaska’s vice president of flight operations. "We are proud to have pioneered the use of RNP nearly a decade ago and to have worked closely with the FAA to share this important technology."

At Reagan National, RNP-guided approaches will reduce the number of flights delayed, diverted or canceled due to poor weather conditions. The technology will also support noise abatement efforts by allowing more aircraft to fly the preferred approach directly above the Potomac River instead of above nearby residential neighborhoods. In addition, RNP will provide a supplemental confirmation of an airplane’s precise location in relation to restricted air space surrounding the nation’s capital.

Alaska is currently the only carrier with approval from the FAA to use the RNP approach to Reagan National. Its first RNP flight landed there on Sept. 28.

The first RNP-guided flight path was used to land in Juneau, Alaska, in 1996. Since then, Alaska has launched RNP procedures in Palm Springs, Calif.; San Francisco and cities throughout the state of Alaska.

Alaska Airlines and sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve 88 cities through an expansive network throughout Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico. For reservations visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air newsroom at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com/ .

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines