Plans to tweak ‘outdated’ UK flight paths could speed up journey times and ensure fewer delays, the government says.
The UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) plans to review and revise flight routes across UK airspace.
Some of these haven’t been updated for decades.
UKADS will firstly focus on congested airspace in and around London.
“Modernising our airspace is also one of the simplest ways to help reduce pollution from flying and will set the industry up for a long-term, sustainable future,” said Aviation Minister Mike Kane.
The changes would be the most fundamental to UK airspace operations since they were first designed in the 1950s.
Then, there only about 200,000 flights a year.
That compares to about 2.7 million flights now.
However, any changes regarding London’s complex airspace could take several years to come into force, sometime in the 2030s.
The government says UKADS will become fully operational by the end of this year.
Revamped flight paths elsewhere in the UK could be approved and become operational much quicker.
Tim Alderslade, head of Airlines UK, said: “We look forward to working with ministers and all parts of UK aviation to complete a once in a generation infrastructure programme as quickly as possible”.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 called it ‘excellent news.’
“We have been calling for the modernisation of airspace for years, as it has been proven to be a key driver in achieving CO2 reductions.”
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