4D navigation aims to boost airline efficiency

Air travel in China is expected to become more predictable thanks to the successful trial of "four-dimensional" trajectory management, civil aviation authorities said.

The technology, which connects an aircraft with ground systems to optimize the flight trajectories in three dimensions plus time, underwent its first trial on a round trip between Tianjin and Guangzhou in mid-March, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

The successful test flight followed four-dimensional trajectory management experiments in Europe, said Meng Aimin, chief engineer in the aeronautical information center of the administration's air traffic control bureau, adding that it will help to enhance the safety, reliability and cost-efficiency of air traffic management.