Airbus ProSky, the air traffic management subsidiary of the Airbus Group (Stand J23, Chalet CD19), joined with Sichuan Airlines and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to design required navigation performance-authorization required (RNP-AR) procedures at Gannan Xiahe Airport, the parties have announced. The remote airport is located in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu Province, northwest China.

Using the new arrival and departure procedures, Sichuan Airlines can improve payload by two tons on one of the airport’s runways and four tons on another runway, Airbus ProSky said. Approach minimums were reduced from 1,810 feet to 600 feet and from 820 feet to 290 feet, respectively. The RNP-AR procedures have also produced track-mile savings of up to 18.6 nm for one of the approaches.

Sichuan Airlines, a regional carrier based in Chengdu in southwest China, first demonstrated the new procedures with an Airbus A319 narrowbody airliner on November 30.

“We are pleased to partner with Airbus ProSky on RNP-AR procedures at Xiahe. The stabilized approach and track-mile savings will not only enhance safety, but also operational efficiency,” said Wang Xinghua, Sichuan Airlines general manager of operational standards.