article_snippet: The researchers, led by the National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR) in Amsterdam and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), said kerosene reserves make up about a third of the weight on long-distance passenger flights at take-off.
article_snippet: Reducing kerosene reserves and refuelling mid-air could mean 'huge savings' and figures suggest fuel burn, and therefore the amount needed at take-off, could be reduced by up to 23 per cent for every 6,000 nautical miles flown by a plane carrying 250 passengers.
article_snippet: Nor is it clear how much the reduction in fuel burn and costs created by causing passenger planes to make fewer stops would offset those used by the individual, heavy refuelling jets.
article_snippet: They propose that passenger flights could take off with less fuel and retank once passenger flights reach an altitude of 33,000ft (10,000 metres).
article_snippet: This would also reduce noise pollution near airports since planes make more noise the heavier they are at take-off, said Leonardo Mafriani from ZHAW.
article_snippet: The researchers said kerosene reserves make up about a third of the weight on long distance passenger flights at take-off.
article_snippet: Reducing kerosene reserves and refuelling mid-air could mean 'huge savings' and figures suggest fuel burn could be reduced by up to 23% for every 6,000 nautical miles flight with a payload of 250 passengers .