Delay-cutting technology being tested at Newark Airport

NEWARK (WABC) -- Cutting down on delays at Newark Liberty International Airports is the goal behind brand-new technology that that Eyewitness News got a first-hand look at Thursday.

Before every flight takes off, there is a verbal radio transmission between air traffic controllers and airline pilots concerning the plane's route.

But now, the routing instructions utilizes what's called "DataComm," which lets the air traffic controller send an on-screen digital instruction to the pilot. Aviation officials believe it is a major safety advancement.

"This system simplifies that communication 1,000 percent," air traffic controller Ray Adams said. "It's really a transformation technology for us. It has tremendous benefit in Newark."

Adams is part of the trials for the advanced departure system being tested at Newark and in Memphis by the FAA.

"Airlines stay on schedule," FAA administrator Michael Huerta said. "Packages get delivered on time, passengers get off the tarmac and into the air and ultimately to their destinations."

Under the older system, the air traffic controller would read the instructions, and the pilot would repeat it, each then making corrections.

"Those operations can take upwards of 12 to14 minutes very easily," FedEx pilot John McCormick said. "And multiply that times 20 airplanes waiting to take off, that can run into some significant time."

Passenger airlines like United find that the new system improves flight planning.

"Especially during operational disruptions, such as major weather events, improving our ability to get our customers where they want to go on time," Chief Revenue Officer James Compton said.

Cargo carriers like FedEx have also been testing the DataComm system, and they have found significant savings.

"Reroute information being conveyed to our air planes, saving on average six to eight minutes in our operation," Senior VP of Flight Operations Paul Cassel said.

And that can also mean savings on expensive fuel.

The FAA hopes to roll out the new system to towers at 56 airports by the end of 2016.