SIA and other airlines benefit from user-preferred routing, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
The user-preferred routing (UPR) trial, which allows pilots to select more direct and efficient flight paths, has been extended until April 2025. Originally set to end in early November 2024, the extension will enable more data collection and the potential expansion of the trial to cover additional routes in the Asia-Pacific region.
The trial, which began in August, involves 38 routes between Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand, and includes airlines such as Singapore Airlines (SIA), Garuda Indonesia, Qantas, and Air New Zealand. UPR enables pilots to adjust their flight paths based on real-time conditions like wind, reducing flight times, fuel consumption, and carbon emissions.
The trial has proven successful, with positive feedback from airlines and air navigation providers. It has resulted in significant savings, including up to 500 kg of fuel per flight for Qantas on certain routes. SIA has also reported benefits, including fuel and time savings, especially when environmental conditions are favorable.
As UPR becomes more widely adopted, it has the potential to improve passenger comfort, lower operating costs, and enhance flight reliability. The concept, tested in Australia since 2008, is now being explored for international flights, despite the complexities of navigating across multiple airspaces. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and its counterparts in Japan, New Zealand, and Australia are working together to expand UPR’s use while maintaining safety standards.
