Final reserve fuel research: an investigation on measures to reduce fuel consumption and emissions and save resources

As the most essential resource for thousands of daily flights worldwide, fuel is one of the key cost factors in the airline business. Moreover, aviation emissions have a significant climate impact. However, fuel burn for a given route depends on the weight of an aircraft, so carrying the minimum required fuel for the sector is the most economical approach to minimising fuel burn. The present study explores and assesses ways to reduce the final reserve fuel (FRF) carried by aircraft with turbine engines and thus the overall fuel needed. However, preserving the safety level is necessary as safe flight operations must be maintained for the daily flight movements. Based on the current legal requirements, the question as to which areas can be possibly optimised further requires our first attention. The thesis demonstrates that flight planning and execution are precise and reliable enough that new approaches of reducing fuel reserves can be considered. Additionally, the advanced nature of today’s aircraft and associated systems, such as ground-based flight monitoring and crew communication, opens new possibilities. Similarly, the high quality of crew training, such as through new training concepts, also presents a significant possibility in this regard. The thesis aims to define a set of measures and circumstances which may allow a reduction of FRF and determine if there are circumstances under which a reduction might be possible or reasonable. Based on a review of current regulations, research and literature, the study suggests the possibility of reducing the final reserve fuel while maintaining the necessary safety level. Fuel data of an operating airline over roughly five years were examined to establish a statistical background, which demonstrated that a reduction of the FRF is possible in defined circumstances. The separation of pre-flight planning and inflight management, each with different reserve fuel values, is therefore proposed. The results indicate that reducing FRF impacts overall fuel consumption and emission. On this basis, the present study recommends airline operators to evaluate their operational procedures, management systems and safety protocols to implement a reduced FRF amount.