The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) last week agreed to study wake turbulence at Singapore Changi Airport to determine if separation standards can safely be tightened. Landing separation reductions that do not compromise safety could significantly raise capacity at Changi.

The study will collect data by using laser imaging detection and ranging technology, and it will review ATC working procedures and methodologies to ensure safe aircraft separation. The agreement was signed at last week’s World Civil Aviation Chief Executives Forum in Singapore by EASA executive director Patrick Ky and CAAS director general Kevin Shum.