Juneau International Airport (JNU) is one of only two ways to access Alaska’s capital city of Juneau. (The other is by boat.) Due to the mountainous terrain and severe weather conditions, JNU has a history of more delayed or cancelled flights than most airports. ✈️
In an effort to reduce those delays and cancellations, in 1996, Alaska Airlines became the first airline in the world to use an aircraft-based navigation, Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approach, to navigate the Gastineau Channel into Juneau.
Today, RNP aircraft operate in terrain-challenged airports all over the world to fly precise ground tracks repeatedly, and approach closely spaced parallel runways in inclement weather. RNP approaches are also used to avoid restricted airspace such as that of Reagan National Airport outside Washington, D.C., with its proximity to the White House.
Fact Contributor: Steve Noble, PE
Airport Executive Leadership Professional
6moHurray! I’ve been hoping for this service for years now!