The British government is to task the new UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) with reshaping air traffic management processes to make more efficient use of the country’s airspace, while also reducing the carbon and noise impact of flights. Plans for the agency were confirmed on Tuesday by the Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority following a consultation process.
UKADS will redesign routes in what will be the first significant airspace changes since the 1950s. The group should be up and running by year-end and will work with the en-route division at air navigation service provider NATS. Further detailed consultation over possible changes is expected to start in September.
Much of the project’s initial focus will be on developing airspace changes for the London area, which is the most complex area in the UK and where improvements are expected to have the most prospect for improving efficiency. Changes will apply to all airports around the UK capital and will take into account the planned third runway at Heathrow Airport (EGLL).
The cost of UKADS’ work will be covered by the air transport industry through new charges that will mainly apply to airlines. These will be collected in a new Airspace Design Support Fund.