1.1 With the objective of reducing fuel burn and aviation-related emissions, the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia in collaboration with Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Singapore Airlines and the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines have agreed on the implementation of economical descent speed technique for arrivals into Malaysian airports.

1.2 It was agreed that 270 kt IAS would be the accepted economical descent speed for jet aircraft.

2.1 Unless a speed restriction is issued by ATC, flight crews shall plan their “top of descent” based on 270 kt KIAS. They are also expected to observe subsequent speed restrictions, if any, that may apply for individual airports.

2.2 Should alternative speed instructions be imposed for the purposes of traffic separation and sequencing, ATC will, as far as practicable, provide those speed instructions prior to “top of descent”.

Note: This may not be possible if the “top of descent” occurs when the aircraft is not within a Malaysian ATC unit’s area of responsibility. In such situations, alternative speed restrictions will be issued as soon as practicable upon establishing contact with the Malaysian ATC unit.

3.1  This technique will be implemented from 1 December 2008

4.1 Any comments from pilots or aircraft operators will be welcomed. Contact email: atmhq@dca.gov.my.