A method for operating an aircraft during a steep approach phase of flight of the aircraft comprising: operating an engine of the aircraft at a first idle speed associated with a first approach type during the steep approach phase of flight of the aircraft, the first approach type being steeper than a second approach type capable of being executed by the aircraft, the first idle speed being lower than a second idle speed associated with the second approach type capable of being executed by the aircraft; and operating an ice protection system of the aircraft during the steep approach phase of flight of the aircraft; characterized in that the method further comprises supplying pressurized air extracted from the engine to the ice protection system of the aircraft during the steep approach phase of flight of the aircraft, wherein an angle of approach associated with the first approach type is equal to or greater than 4.5 degrees from horizontal; and in that the method further comprises, after receiving a signal indicative of the first approach type to be executed by the aircraft, during said steep approach phase of flight of the aircraft: - either reducing an amount of pressurized air being supplied from the engine to one or more pneumatic loads other than the ice protection system, the one or more pneumatic loads including an environmental control system of the aircraft that is operable in a lower-flow mode of operation and a higher-flow mode of operation, the method comprises inhibiting an operation of the environmental control system in the higher-flow mode of operation; - or inhibiting a supply of pressurized air extracted from the engine to a fuel tank inerting system of the aircraft; - or inhibiting a supply of pressurized air extracted from the engine to a heating system for a cargo compartment of the aircraft; - or a combination of the above. operating an engine of the aircraft at a first idle speed associated with a first approach type during the steep approach phase of flight of the aircraft, the first approach type being steeper than a second approach type capable of being executed by the aircraft, the first idle speed being lower than a second idle speed associated with the second approach type capable of being executed by the aircraft; and operating an ice protection system of the aircraft during the steep approach phase of flight of the aircraft; characterized in that the method further comprises supplying pressurized air extracted from the engine to the ice protection system of the aircraft during the steep approach phase of flight of the aircraft, wherein an angle of approach associated with the first approach type is equal to or greater than 4.5 degrees from horizontal; and in that the method further comprises, after receiving a signal indicative of the first approach type to be executed by the aircraft, during said steep approach phase of flight of the aircraft: - either reducing an amount of pressurized air being supplied from the engine to one or more pneumatic loads other than the ice protection system, the one or more pneumatic loads including an environmental control system of the aircraft that is operable in a lower-flow mode of operation and a higher-flow mode of operation, the method comprises inhibiting an operation of the environmental control system in the higher-flow mode of operation; - or inhibiting a supply of pressurized air extracted from the engine to a fuel tank inerting system of the aircraft; - or inhibiting a supply of pressurized air extracted from the engine to a heating system for a cargo compartment of the aircraft; - or a combination of the above. - either reducing an amount of pressurized air being supplied from the engine to one or more pneumatic loads other than the ice protection system, the one or more pneumatic loads including an environmental control system of the aircraft that is operable in a lower-flow mode of operation and a higher-flow mode of operation, the method comprises inhibiting an operation of the environmental control system in the higher-flow mode of operation; - or inhibiting a supply of pressurized air extracted from the engine to a fuel tank inerting system of the aircraft; - or inhibiting a supply of pressurized air extracted from the engine to a heating system for a cargo compartment of the aircraft; - or a combination of the above.