By james art The Department for Transport (DfT) has said it has launched a consultation on a proposal to create a UK airspace design service, which would consist of aviation experts working with airports to improve the routes planes fly.
The new authority will begin by reviewing London’s airspace, which is the UK’s busiest.
Much of the way UK airspace is used dates back to the 1950s, when there were fewer flights and aircraft navigated using ground beacons.
DfT officials believe that allowing planes to use advanced navigation technology will increase efficiency, such as reducing the need for planes to go into holding mode before being cleared to land at busy airports.
Aviation Secretary Mike Kane said: “UK airspace is one of the nation’s greatest invisible assets, but it is a thing of the past – a pilot from the 1950s would find that little has changed.
“Our once-in-a-generation creation of a UK airspace design service will not only drive forward airspace modernization and create a system that is fit for the future, but will help create faster routes, ease delays and will reduce harmful emissions – making air travel a better experience for everyone.”
Last month easyJet, the UK’s biggest airline, said inefficient use of airspace was contributing to increased fuel consumption, carbon emissions and flight time.
The carrier described the issue as a “universal problem” across Europe, but said the “biggest inefficiency” for its operations was in the UK.
Among the impacts are aircraft having to climb in steps after take-off, complex routing and delayed descent to manage the workload of air traffic control (ATC) personnel.
EasyJet has published the results of an AI-based study which found that airspace inefficiencies increased CO2 emissions in the year to the end of July by 10.6%.
Rob Bishton, chief executive of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Authority, said: “Modernising our airspace is critical to delivering a more efficient, sustainable and resilient system.
“The proposals we have outlined today set out the next steps in our ongoing efforts to progress the modernization of the UK’s airspace.
“This builds on the important work already done in the industry for a more streamlined, sustainable airspace system that benefits passengers, airlines and local communities.”
Martin Rolfe, chief executive of ATC provider Nats, said: “Any initiative that can help accelerate the UK’s airspace modernization program is very welcome, particularly in London and the South East.
“It is one of the busiest and most complex airspaces in the world with take offs and landings at five major airports and several smaller ones.
“This is the next big step in modernizing the UK’s airspace, following the work we have already completed in other parts of the country, and we welcome the Government’s consultation on how best to deliver it.”
The consultation continues until December 17.