newstodate.aero
Sep 21, 2009 (newstodate): Despite the general decline in world air traffic in 2009, traffic on the trans-polar arctic routes over Siberia is increasing.
During the first eight months of this year, Norway's Avinor handled a total of 16,128 aircraft requesting flights through the arctic lanes, compared to 14,916 in the same period in 2008.
This corresponds to an increase by eight percent so far into 2009.
-It is still not a precise picture of the traffic, but it is at least better than the Eurocontrol statistics, says Jens Petter Duestad, Avinor Director Business Area Enroute & East.
-The reason behind the surprising volume may be that airlines' quest for cost savings are leading to the increased use of the arctic routes that save fuel and flying time on routes between North America and the North East Asian destinations, says Mr Duestad.
The growth in trans-polar air traffic has especially been evident from that start of this summer, figures show.
During the first eight months of this year, Norway's Avinor handled a total of 16,128 aircraft requesting flights through the arctic lanes, compared to 14,916 in the same period in 2008.
This corresponds to an increase by eight percent so far into 2009.
-It is still not a precise picture of the traffic, but it is at least better than the Eurocontrol statistics, says Jens Petter Duestad, Avinor Director Business Area Enroute & East.
-The reason behind the surprising volume may be that airlines' quest for cost savings are leading to the increased use of the arctic routes that save fuel and flying time on routes between North America and the North East Asian destinations, says Mr Duestad.
The growth in trans-polar air traffic has especially been evident from that start of this summer, figures show.