Lion Air, together with Boeing and the Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has performed successful validation flights to test its tailor-made Required Navigation Performance (RNP) Authorization Required procedures at two terrain-challenged airports, Ambon and Manado, Indonesia.

Using global positioning systems, RNP enables aircraft to fly precisely pre-defined flight paths without reliance on ground-based navigation stations.

To help reduce airplane flight miles, RNP enables idle-power descents that save fuel, reduce emissions and noise, and enhance safety.

Boeing Flight Services led the overall project, conducted an RNP safety assessment, and trained Lion Air’s leadership, dispatchers and flight crews, while its subsidiary Jeppesen designed, charted, and helped certify the instrument flight procedures for the project.

Boeing, in association with the DGCA, constructed the necessary national regulatory framework to fully certify the airline for RNP operations under ICAO guidelines.