Schiphol freighters flow more freely

A new Schiphol taxiway, linking the ‘Kaag’ runway with the Sierra cargo zone, has halved live runway crossings for freighter aircraft since it opened in November.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport says that the new link is also cutting taxiing distances and hence fuel and CO2 emissions, as well as time.
The ‘Kaag’ runway and Sierra cargo zone are used increasingly by the airport’s frequent freighter flights.
Aircraft landing on Kaag can now taxi directly to the Sierra cargo area from the end of the runway, rather than routing back along the original taxiway which stretches the entire length of the runway, and then waiting for clearance to cross it.
Subject to wind direction, the same benefits apply to departing flights.
Schiphol Cargo senior vice-president Enno Osinga said: “The new Sierra taxiway has streamlined and improved our handling of freighter flights, saving time and money for our airline customers and improving safety.
"In addition, it has been an environmental success right from its inception, and will make a long-term contribution to our emissions targets.
“Once again, Schiphol is proving that cargo processes can always be improved, and that investments and innovation in cargo do provide real returns.”
Green concerns came to the fore during the taxiway’s construction. A large part of the 46,000 tonnes of material was recycled concrete rubble from other current airport infrastructure projects.
A brief film can be seen at: http://www.schiphol.nl/B2B/Cargo/NewsPublications/CargoNews5/NewSierraTaxiway.htm
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