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NextGen Now | Winter 2014
safe and efficient metering of arriving aircraft allowed controllers to smoothly clear aircraft for
takeoff, thus also reducing departure delays. As with all the other NextGen technologies and
procedures that are being rolled out throughout the country, the ability to enable aircraft to fly
more directly from Point A to Point B not only saves time for the flying public – allowing them
to reach their destinations safely on schedule – but reduces fuel burn and carbon emissions,
lessening our impact on the environment.
This would not have been possible without the close working relationship we enjoyed
throughout the entire process with NATCA, airlines including JetBlue, Delta and Southwest,
Ft. Lauderdale airport, the National Business Aviation Association and Broward County. Our
partners embraced the challenge from the start – they were ready to go. Throughout the three-
year period we met frequently and regularly with our stakeholders. The collaboration proved so
successful the Ft. Lauderdale project will be used as a template for future major projects. For
us, this is a whole new way of doing business. By working together we overcame a potentially
serious challenge in the nation's airspace system.
