Continuous Descent Approaches (CDA)

CDA is a method by which aircraft approach airports prior to landing. It is designed to reduce fuel consumption and noise compared with a conventional approach.

CDA starts ideally from a Top of Descent, i.e. cruise altitude, and allows the aircraft flying its individual optimal vertical profile down to runway threshold.

ERA Policy & Action

ERA believes that the application of CDA shows signiticant noise, fule and emissions reduction in the areas prior to the point at which the ILS is required.

ERA is working with EUROCONTROL who is coordinating the CDA implementation programme on behalf of stakeholders. It has a target of introducing CDA at a minimum of 100 European airports by the end of 2013.

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Background Information

EUROCONTROL aims to promote and facilitate the widespread use of CDA:

to as many airports as possible
for as many flights as possible
for the longest extent possible for each flight
to optimise existing modes of operation where possible

Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and airports are being asked to commit to one or more of the following agreements:

to evaluate the feasibility of CDA implementation
to implement CDA if evaluation proves it is possible
to formalise CDA if it is offered.

Currently 23 airports in Europe have published a CDA that is being formally offered for the longest exxtent possible at some stage of the day. 11 airports have CDA implementation trials in progress and additionally more than 50 airports have also committed to investigate CDA feasibility.