Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Consultation on a UK Airspace Design Service

22 October 2024 · Department for Transport

Proposed by Mike Kane Lab Wythenshawe and Sale East

EnvironmentTransport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • The Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority are launching a consultation to propose the creation of a UK Airspace Design Service.
  • The consultation seeks views on the responsibilities, governance, and funding of a new UKADS.
  • Responses from all interested parties are welcomed to facilitate reductions in carbon emissions, noise, and delays.

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.
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