Aircraft with the necessary equipment and permission are now able to land at Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) using more efficient curved approaches.
ARN operator Swedavia said the airport is the first in Europe where aircraft using RNP-AR (for Required Navigation Performance–Authorization Required) continuous descent approaches will be allowed to utilize the Established on RNP (EoR) separation standard enabling curved landing trajectories.
As a result, Swedavia expects increased capacity for landings on ARN's parallel runways and aircraft to fly shorter, lower-emission approach paths.
EoR was approved by ICAO in 2018 and has been utilized in other regions. NAV Canada, for example, started allowing the technique at Calgary International Airport in 2018 and at Toronto Pearson International Airport in 2022.
Standard separation for aircraft landing on parallel runways is 3 nm laterally or 1,000 ft. vertically until lined up and “established” for final descent, according to NAV Canada. EoR allows aircraft to be considered established sooner and fly curved approaches, enabling shorter landing trajectories while still maintaining separation.
“The concept is an important step toward increasing the capacity, efficiency and sustainability of air traffic,” Swedavia said.
ARN has three runways, two of which are parallel. Susanne Norman, Swedavia’s director of operations, said the “new approach concept allows [ARN] to increase the landing rate per hour.”
Swedish air navigation services provider Luftfartsverket said EoR will make ARN’s traffic flow “more efficient during peak hours.” Anna Granbery, Luftfartsverket’s director of operations, said arriving aircraft will be able to fly “shorter flight paths with reduced emissions.”
Swedavia noted that not all aircraft will be able to utilize EoR. “The technique for curved approaches requires special equipment in the aircraft, specially trained pilots and special permission from [the operating airline’s] national supervisory authority,” the ARN operator said.
Airlines praised the implementation of EoR at ARN. “Shorter approaches result in lower fuel burn and reduced emissions,” said Charlotte Holmbergh, Norwegian’s director of corporate affairs in Sweden. “More efficient flight operations like this are among our top priorities.”
SAS Scandinavian Airlines said it “welcomes all initiatives that help reduce fuel consumption, noise and emissions. The introduction of the new approach concept is a step in the right direction toward a more efficient and more sustainable airspace around Arlanda.”
Swedavia said implementing EoR incentivizes airlines to invest in the technology and training necessary to enable curved approaches. More airlines using EoR “makes it possible to avoid flying over noise-sensitive areas,” the ARN operator added.
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