News from the airline - A330 fleet takes DHL to new heights in Himalayan adventure
It took a good year before the Chinese authorities finally gave their approval. But in February, EAT (European Air Transport Leipzig GmbH) became the first DHL airline to fly an Airbus A330 along the awe-inspiring L888 and Y1 airways over the highlands of Tibet.
"The route certainly gives you time to look out of the window and enjoy the breathtaking landscape," says Captain Andreas Schlager, Assistant to Chief Pilot of the EAT Airbus A330 Fleet. "But that doesn’t make it any less challenging."
The Silk Road of the skies
Among pilots and aviation experts, flight routes L888 and Y1 (Yankee One) have quite a reputation. L888 and the nearby Y1 “feeder” route run right across China over the highlands of Tibet – one reason why L888 has come to be known as the Silk Road Airway. It’s legendary, both a technical and an aviation challenge, and subject to highly restrictive regulations – in a part of the world where the Himalayas reach altitudes of 5,000 meters and higher, different rules apply.
Ekkehard Gutt and the team at EAT battled for a year to get permission for DHL airlines to fly these routes. As Manager Flight Dispatch Support & Air Traffic Management, one of Gutt’s many responsibilities at EAT involves developing new routes and optimizing those that already exist. EAT has been flying the partial route from Hong Kong (China) to Kazakhstan’s capital Almaty since March 2023 and, until February this year, a longer route that leads further north over Chinese territory and much lower terrain.
Carbon emissions cut by six metric tons per flight
"By flying airways Y1 and L888, we save an average 20 minutes per flight. That means less fuel and lower costs," says Schlager. And with six flights per week, it all adds up – benefiting the climate along the way. On the new section over the Tibetan highlands, the Airbus A330 uses up to 2,000 kg less aviation fuel per flight, adds Gutt: "Every time we fly, we cut our carbon emissions by more than six metric tons, supporting the global DHL GoGreen Initiative in the process."
His efforts in obtaining approval to fly these new routes have paid off in several ways. The requirements that have to be met in order to use Yankee One and Lima Triple Eight are strict to say the least. And for good reason. In an emergency, time is of the essence when flying over such high terrain. For example, in the event of a sudden drop in pressure inside the aircraft, the pilot would normally initiate an immediate steep emergency descent to an altitude of 10,000 feet (approx. 3,000 meters). Clearly, when flying over the expansive Tibetan plateau with a height of 15,000 feet, this kind of evasive action is not an option.
A330 meets all requirements
"This is why the aircraft authorized to fly airways L888 and Y1 have to carry additional bottles of oxygen in quantities sufficient to last until we reach one of the designated escape routes over flatter terrain and can land at an alternative airport," Gutt says. EAT’s Airbus A330 meets these requirements and is also equipped with a Future Air Navigation System (FANS). In simple terms, FANS enables precise satellite positioning and navigation for aircraft flying such an inhospitable route. And if radio contact is lost, pilots can use FANS to communicate with air traffic control via satellite, using digital text via a data link system.
"If these requirements had not been met and if all other formalities had not been resolved with help from the DHL network station in Beijing, we wouldn’t have obtained permission to use airways L888 and Y1," says Gutt, acknowledging the tough, complex process. But on February 22 the green light was given, and it was "chocks away".
With the authorization from the Civil Aviation Administration of China finally in place, Lima Triple Eight has gone from legend to everyday life at EAT. But even if it is now a matter of routine, the view from the cockpit will always be a special one.
About EAT in Leipzig
European Air Transport Leipzig GmbH (EAT) is not only an airline but also handles the maintenance of its own fleet of over 30 aircraft in its company-owned hangar, provides flight crew training, and employs over 1,200 aviation enthusiasts.
Author: Claudia Looms
Published: April 19, 2024