FAA urged to accelerate use of on-board satellite navigation systems

Airlines are urging the Federal Aviation Administration to accelerate the use of on-board satellite-based navigation systems following the industry-government report released last week that set out the benefits of air-traffic control modernization. The report, which advocated replacing ground-based radar networks with on-board satellite-based systems, called on the FAA to emphasize interim upgrades to airport approaches that allow carriers to use existing on-board navigation equipment to trim fuel costs, reduce pollution and alleviate airport congestion.