Boeing

SEATTLE, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) recently completed a critical design review for Required Navigation Performance procedures (RNP) in work at Panama's Tocumen International Airport and Howard Airport. The critical design review, which took place at the Copa Airlines training center in Panama City, assesses the "fly-ability" of the procedures and ensures compatibility with airline crew procedures. RNP uses global-positioning satellites and onboard flight-management systems to guide airplanes accurately along precise flight paths.

Boeing, along with its wholly owned subsidiary, Jeppesen, will provide RNP procedures under contract with the Autoridad Aeronautica Civil (AAC), Panama's Civil Aviation Authority. Boeing and Jeppesen worked very closely with the AAC of Panama and Copa Airlines to incorporate their requirements into the final RNP procedures that Jeppesen will use in creating the final navigation charts and corresponding navigational database. These procedures will support flights into the Panamanian airports for any airline, with Panama's Copa Airlines taking the lead in testing the RNP procedures. More precise routing can help aircraft operators reduce fuel consumption and lessen greenhouse gas emissions.

"Panama is constantly working to make our aviation infrastructure more secure and efficient," said Capt. Rafael Barcenas, Panama's Civil Aviation Authority director. "As a Panamanian I am proud to be part of this legacy of innovation. Together we are maximizing the use of new technology for the benefit of our airspace."

"As Panama implements advanced arrival procedures using RNP, Copa Airlines will be able to achieve even greater safety, reliability and efficiency in its operations at Tocumen airport," said David Lindskoog, Copa's vice president of Flight Operations. "RNP procedures will enable significant savings in flight time and fuel consumption by providing the most direct arrival routes to the runways."

In May, Boeing signed an agreement with the AAC to provide Required Navigation Performance procedures to the country as part of Panama's effort to set new standards for safe and efficient airline operations in Latin America.

"Boeing is proud to partner with the AAC of Panama and our friends at Copa Airlines to help with the first operational implementation of RNP in Panama," said Per Noren, director of Boeing Aviation Infrastructure for Commercial Airplanes. "This will provide an important benefit to Panama and help the AAC promote further expansion of RNP implementation in Latin America."

Contact:

Tom Brabant
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
+1 206-766-2925

SOURCE: Boeing

Web site: http://www.boeing.com/