Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Airspace Modernisation Strategy

01 November 2022 · 4 other contributors · 3,098 words

Opened by Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West

Responding minister: Huw Merriman

TransportEnvironment

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Christine Jardine raised concerns about airspace modernisation strategy in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Christine Jardine highlighted the significant impact of outdated airspace on local communities due to noise pollution and disrupted sleep patterns from nearby airports.
  • Jardine requested assurances that technological advancements are being fully considered in modernisation efforts and asked for additional government funding to support airports recovering from pandemic-related financial losses.
  • The Minister of State, Department for Transport, outlined the UK's airspace modernisation strategy aimed at improving efficiency and reducing noise and emissions through new technologies, noting 9.2 million government funding for the FASI programme.

Key requests to Government

Jardine requested assurances that technological advancements are being fully considered in modernisation efforts. She also asked for additional government funding to support affected airports recovering from the pandemic's impact. Lastly, she urged for better communication channels between stakeholders and local communities to ensure transparency and understanding of airspace changes.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West

Christine Jardine highlighted the significant impact of outdated airspace on local communities, noting that constituents frequently reach out to her about noise pollution and disrupted sleep patterns due to nearby airports. She stressed the importance of modernising the UK's airspace to accommodate more efficient and environmentally friendly flight paths for the aviation sector's recovery post-pandemic. However, she expressed concern over the increased costs and complexities associated with these changes, especially as many airports struggle to recover from pandemic-related financial losses.

Other contributors (4)
  • Fleur Anderson Lab Putney

    She expressed concern about flights coming into Heathrow at 4 o'clock in the morning, noting that more and more special dispensations are being given to break the night-flight quota. She called for all airports in urban areas to begin moving towards an eight-hour night-flight ban as part of this modernisation. She welcomed the Minister to his place and stated that modernisation should be an opportunity to acknowledge the mental health damage caused to residents living under flightpaths. She suggested considering a longer night ban and reducing exemptions from rules, which would benefit both customers and residents.

  • Ian Causley PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd

    Ian Causley noted that the number of night flights has increased since the pandemic, leading to higher complaints from residents. He agreed with Jardine's concerns about airspace modernisation delays impacting airport efficiency and environmental goals.

  • Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth

    She agreed that while safety is the primary duty of the Civil Aviation Authority, it should also have greater responsibility for the environmental impacts of aviation, including noise pollution and climate change. She thanked the hon. Member for Edinburgh West for securing the debate, noting concerns about airspace modernisation leading to increased pressure for more flights arriving at Heathrow. She highlighted that her constituents experience flight noise throughout much of every 24 hours and expressed concern that there is a risk of more flights despite them being quieter.

  • Steve Brine

    He noted that changing flight paths only moves the issue around without solving it. He supported using modern technology to create quieter, cleaner, and more efficient aircraft as part of the airspace modernisation programme.

Government Response

Huw Merriman

The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Huw Merriman) outlined the UK's airspace modernisation strategy aimed at improving efficiency, reducing noise and emissions through new technologies. He noted that CAP1616 was introduced to ensure fairer and more transparent changes in airspace, addressing the concerns about night-time flights by maintaining current regulations while ensuring transparency and consultation. The FASI programme received £9.2 million government funding, with Edinburgh airport receiving £484,500. Free route airspace deployment over Scottish airspace is expected to save 12,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. New powers introduced through the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021 safeguard airspace modernisation by allowing the Secretary of State for Transport to direct entities for progress or cooperation with changes in airspace.

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