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Consultation on a UK Airspace Design Service

22 October 2024

Proposing MP
Wythenshawe and Sale East
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Transport

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority are launching a consultation to propose the creation of a UK Airspace Design Service to modernize UK airspace.

Action Requested

The consultation seeks views on the responsibilities, governance, and funding of a new UKADS to facilitate overall reductions in carbon emissions, noise, and delays. Responses from all interested parties are welcomed.

Key Facts

  • The current model for airspace change requires individual development by airports and air traffic control providers.
  • Modernised airspace will help reduce CO2 emissions and enable future technologies like remotely piloted aircraft systems to operate safely.
  • UK airspace is based on an aging network from the 1950s with fewer than 1 million flights annually, compared to 2.5 million in 2019.
  • NATS estimates that without modernisation, delays may increase by over 200% by 2040 resulting in one in five flights experiencing disruption of more than 45 minutes.
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy