During a glide descent, also known as continuous or uninterrupted descent, aircraft approach the airport with engines idling.

Current air traffic control procedures often require aircraft to speed up or slow down to allow planes to keep their distance from each other or to make best use of the runway, as aircraft converge on an airport.

Glide approaches could provide significant fuel savings.

Air New Zealand and Qantas Boeing 747 planes are taking part in the trial will not be given any speed control or level restrictions as they come into land while air traffic control will manage other aircraft to allow this to happen.

Most of the aircraft in the landing trial will be early morning international flights.

There are no safety issues relating to the trial and passengers will not notice any difference except landings may be smoother and more comfortable than usual.

The trial began in mid-April and will continue until September.

Report by The Mole