Jets into New Zealand's Auckland Airport Will Try Gliding

Qantas and Air New Zealand jets arriving at Auckland airport will cut their engines and glide into their final stage of landing under a trial aimed at saving fuel and reducing greenhouse emissions.

The glided landings - believed to be a world first - will start at New Zealand's biggest airport from mid-April, national air services provider Airways New Zealand said.

Airways New Zealand's Lew Jenkins said the practice was safe and the measure could provide some significant fuel savings and reductions in carbon emissions.

"This is a perfectly safe procedure, and other flights will be controlled by Airways New Zealand's air traffic controllers to remain clear of the trial flight paths," Mr Jenkins said.

"All commercial airlines want to be safe but they also need to be profitable, fuel efficient, and environmentally friendly, and a key component in this equation is fuel."

Federal Transport Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile said Australia was introducing greater flexibility in flight paths and continuous descent approaches in an effort to cut carbon emissions.

"Australia supports a global approach to aviation emissions reduction," Mr Vaile said.

(AAP)

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.