Benefits: Safer and More Efficient Airports

Integrating the innovations created through NextGen will lead to a number of benefits including:

Safety First. Technology such as the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) will provide pilots with real-time information giving them situational awareness on the ground and in the air, significantly reducing the risk and incidents of on-airport and midair collisions, landing and takeoff accidents, and terrain and turbulence encounters.

Fewer delays. The NextGen is designed to significantly reduce flight time along more efficient flight paths. Reduced flight times and efficient trajectories translate into fewer delays, decreased engine operation, greater fuel efficiency, a smaller noise imprint, and fewer emissions.

Reduced costs. Costs for fuel and maintenance rise when planes idle on taxiways or circle in holding patterns. In 2007, delayed flights consumed about 740 million gallons of jet fuel, totaling $1.6 billion in extra fuel bills. Increased efficiencies in surface and air management reduce these costs.

Less Pollution. More than 7.1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide were emitted last year due to flight delays across the country. Fewer delays will result in a smaller environmental impact.