Implementation of continuous descent approaches at Stockholm Arlanda airport, Sweden

RNAV STAR routes enabling Continuous Descent Approach from Cruise to Threshold have been deployed at Stockholm Arlanda airport in a live trial environment. The partner airline, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, committed their fleet of 19 Boeing 737 NG aircraft as a trial platform fleet. After two years of trials, an evaluation was carried out to highlight if and what benefits had been made. The results are very optimistic; 56 kg of fuel saved with every flight compared to standard arrivals, with exceptionally well flown arrivals (one in four flights) saving as much as 82 kg, all that through superior energy management. Continuous Descent Arrivals also pollute less and are demonstrably quieter. Based on positive experience from the trial phase, RNAV STARs were later optimized and introduced to the flying public.