ATC
Redesign of UK Airspace Will Start with London Airports
Aircraft operators will be charged a new fee to support the work
London Biggin Hill Airport
Biggin Hill is one of several London-area airports that could be impacted by plans to redesign the UK’s airspace. © London Biggin Hill Airport

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.