Southwest Airlines Expects RNP Investment to Pay Off

Southwest Airlines expects significant fuel savings from its $175 million rollout of RNP to its airports starting in 2011. Speaking at ATW's Eco-Aviation Conference in Washington, Senior Director-Flight Operations Jeff Martin said SWA "completed the activation of autothrottle technology in all 340 of our 737-700 aircraft and flew our first RNP demo flight, both significant milestones in implementing our program." The airline also has modified its speed schedule and is flying at optimum speed and altitude, contributing to approximately 4.8 million gal. in fuel savings of the 8.5 million gal. saved by the LCC last year.

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