User preferred routes between Melbourne and Auckland

Airservices Australia and Airways New Zealand have implemented user preferred routes (UPRs) between Melbourne and Auckland, allowing airlines to custom-design flightpaths for best efficiency for individual flights.

“Airlines will be able to make these decisions based on factors such as forecast weather, aircraft type and performance, as well as their own scheduling requirements,” Airservices acting general manager Air Traffic Control, Mark Rodwell said.

“This will enable them to fly optimised routes to achieve better flight efficiency through the use of prevailing wind patterns, delivering shorter flight times, reduced fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.”

Airservices has already introduced UPRs in lower traffic density areas such as in the Pacific and between Australia and the Middle East and South Africa, but Melbourne-Auckland is the first phase of the rollout of UPRs to the trans-Tasman.