Latest news with #MikeKane
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Residents ‘living in fear' as UK flight paths set for overhaul
Residents near British airports are 'living in fear' as the Government prepares to overhaul flight paths for the first time in 70 years. The Department for Transport (DfT) says the plans to modernise UK airspace will deliver quicker, quieter flights and promote growth in the aviation sector. However, campaign groups say that the changes could create more noise pollution for communities near airports, including areas that do not currently fall beneath existing flight paths. Here is everything we know about the proposed 'skyways', including how they could impact holidaymakers and residents. Britain's air corridors date back to a time when aircraft navigated the skies using ground-based beacons. In the 1960s, Britain's air traffic grew from one million to 15 million passengers per year, meaning airports had to establish set arrival and departure routes. Many of these are still in place today, meaning flight routes designed for Comets are now being flown by Airbus A380s and Boeing 787s. Some of the problems in UK airspace include a requirement for aircraft to ascend in steps after take-off, complex routing, and pilots having to delay descents to manage the workload of their air traffic control colleagues on the ground. Announcing plans to overhaul the UK's air corridors, Mike Kane, the Aviation Minister, said: 'Redesigned 'skyways' will turbocharge growth in the aviation industry, not least by boosting airport expansion plans and supporting job creation, driving millions into the UK economy as part of the Plan for Change. '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.' If delivered as promised, a modernised airspace system will equate to fewer delays and quicker flight times. It is also potentially good news for passengers with an eye on their carbon footprint. The DfT says that allowing aircraft to use modern navigation technologies will boost efficiency and reduce the need for pilots to enter holding patterns before getting permission to land on busy runways. In September 2024, easyJet released a report on the ineffectiveness of the UK's airspace systems. The airline said that seven of its 10 least efficient routes occur inbound into London Gatwick, and that its UK operations had the 'greatest inefficiencies' of anywhere in Europe. In total, easyJet predicts that airspace inefficiencies across Europe increased CO2 emissions by 663,710 tonnes per year. Martin Rolfe, CEO of NATS (National Air Traffic Services), said: 'The UK's airspace network is one of the busiest and most complex in the world. We handle a quarter of Europe's traffic despite having only 11 per cent of its airspace, with one of the best safety and delay records anywhere. However, we have to modernise airspace if we are to maintain this level of performance as traffic grows towards 3 million flights per year.' It is unknown how the new 'skyways' will be drawn. One possibility is that aircraft approaching airports could be channelled into new, relatively narrow highways in the sky. If this is the case, some communities near airports might see a greater number of planes flying overhead. But groups close to the process say hard information is thin on the ground. A spokesperson for Stop Heathrow Expansion told The Telegraph: 'The only documents we have seen recently relate to the outcome of the consultation on a UK airspace design service, which appear to be concerned with the way changes will be made, rather than the changes themselves.' Sally Pavey, the chair of the campaign group Campaign Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE), says: 'There is a real lack of transparency in this process. Residents currently overflown, and those not, are totally unaware of the motorways being designed above their homes that will purely benefit aviation as no compensation being offered with this process.' 'Residents must live in fear of what is being planned for above their heads and homes,' she added. Paul Becker, Policy Director at Heathrow Noise Action Plan (HACAN) says: 'This announcement means even longer periods of uncertainty before overflown communities receive any clarity on what changes will take place to flight paths. 'The development of new flight paths will mean communities across London and the South East [will be] adversely impacted by aircraft noise for the first time. It is also possible that currently overflown communities experience an increase in the intensity of noise they endure as well as more frequent noise disturbances, particularly if expansion at Heathrow goes ahead.' All airports taking part in the airspace change process are following a process which includes stakeholder input and public consultation, details of which are published on the Civil Aviation Authority's website. The latest announcement (made on June 2, 2025) confirms that the DfT will develop a UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) alongside the CAA, to be managed by the UK's air traffic management service NATS. This is expected to be operational by the end of 2025. It is understood that changes to London's airspace are unlikely to be complete until the 2030s, although new 'skyways' around airports outside of the capital could be in operation before the end of the decade. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Residents ‘living in fear' as UK flight paths set for overhaul
Residents near British airports are 'living in fear' as the Government prepares to overhaul flight paths for the first time in 70 years. The Department for Transport (DfT) says the plans to modernise UK airspace will deliver quicker, quieter flights and promote growth in the aviation sector. However, campaign groups say that the changes could create more noise pollution for communities near airports, including areas that do not currently fall beneath existing flight paths. Here is everything we know about the proposed 'skyways', including how they could impact holidaymakers and residents. Why are flight paths being redrawn? Britain's air corridors date back to a time when aircraft navigated the skies using ground-based beacons. In the 1960s, Britain's air traffic grew from one million to 15 million passengers per year, meaning airports had to establish set arrival and departure routes. Many of these are still in place today, meaning flight routes designed for Comets are now being flown by Airbus A380s and Boeing 787s. Some of the problems in UK airspace include a requirement for aircraft to ascend in steps after take-off, complex routing, and pilots having to delay descents to manage the workload of their air traffic control colleagues on the ground. Announcing plans to overhaul the UK's air corridors, Mike Kane, the Aviation Minister, said: 'Redesigned 'skyways' will turbocharge growth in the aviation industry, not least by boosting airport expansion plans and supporting job creation, driving millions into the UK economy as part of the Plan for Change. '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.' What will this mean for holidaymakers? If delivered as promised, a modernised airspace system will equate to fewer delays and quicker flight times. It is also potentially good news for passengers with an eye on their carbon footprint. The DfT says that allowing aircraft to use modern navigation technologies will boost efficiency and reduce the need for pilots to enter holding patterns before getting permission to land on busy runways. In September 2024, easyJet released a report on the ineffectiveness of the UK's airspace systems. The airline said that seven of its 10 least efficient routes occur inbound into London Gatwick, and that its UK operations had the 'greatest inefficiencies' of anywhere in Europe. In total, easyJet predicts that airspace inefficiencies across Europe increased CO2 emissions by 663,710 tonnes per year. Martin Rolfe, CEO of NATS (National Air Traffic Services), said: 'The UK's airspace network is one of the busiest and most complex in the world. We handle a quarter of Europe's traffic despite having only 11 per cent of its airspace, with one of the best safety and delay records anywhere. However, we have to modernise airspace if we are to maintain this level of performance as traffic grows towards 3 million flights per year.' Could my local area be negatively impacted? It is unknown how the new 'skyways' will be drawn. One possibility is that aircraft approaching airports could be channelled into new, relatively narrow highways in the sky. If this is the case, some communities near airports might see a greater number of planes flying overhead. But groups close to the process say hard information is thin on the ground. A spokesperson for Stop Heathrow Expansion told The Telegraph: 'The only documents we have seen recently relate to the outcome of the consultation on a UK airspace design service, which appear to be concerned with the way changes will be made, rather than the changes themselves.' Sally Pavey, the chair of the campaign group Campaign Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE), says: 'There is a real lack of transparency in this process. Residents currently overflown, and those not, are totally unaware of the motorways being designed above their homes that will purely benefit aviation as no compensation being offered with this process.' 'Residents must live in fear of what is being planned for above their heads and homes,' she added. Paul Becker, Policy Director at Heathrow Noise Action Plan (HACAN) says: 'This announcement means even longer periods of uncertainty before overflown communities receive any clarity on what changes will take place to flight paths. 'The development of new flight paths will mean communities across London and the South East [will be] adversely impacted by aircraft noise for the first time. It is also possible that currently overflown communities experience an increase in the intensity of noise they endure as well as more frequent noise disturbances, particularly if expansion at Heathrow goes ahead.' All airports taking part in the airspace change process are following a process which includes stakeholder input and public consultation, details of which are published on the Civil Aviation Authority's website. When will the airspace redesign happen? The latest announcement (made on June 2, 2025) confirms that the DfT will develop a UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) alongside the CAA, to be managed by the UK's air traffic management service NATS. This is expected to be operational by the end of 2025. It is understood that changes to London's airspace are unlikely to be complete until the 2030s, although new 'skyways' around airports outside of the capital could be in operation before the end of the decade.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Quicker flights promised in flight path shake-up
Plans to fast-track the remodelling of the UK's flight paths could lead to quicker flights and fewer delays for passengers, the government says. Ministers are set to announce the creation of the UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) later which will re-design the routes planes must take over UK airspace - many of which were decided around 70 years ago. The initial shake-up will focus on modernising the complex airspace in and around London. Cagne, a community aviation and environment group for Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, has warned the plans could mean there would be new flight paths over houses that are not currently affected. Ministers say the plans could allow planes to climb quicker during take off and descend more smoothly. The plans are also aiming at helping reduce aviation's climate change impacts and pave the way for new technologies like flying taxis. "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," aviation minister, Mike Kane, said. The changes would allow the largest re-design of UK airspace since it was first formed in the 1950s.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Flight path shake-up promises quicker flights and fewer delays
Plans to fast-track the remodelling of the UK's flight paths could lead to quicker flights and fewer delays for passengers, the government are set to announce the creation of the UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) later which will re-design the routes planes must take over UK airspace - many of which were decided around 70 years initial shake-up will focus on modernising the complex airspace in and around a community aviation and environment group for Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, has warned the plans could mean there would be new flight paths over houses that are not currently affected. Ministers say the plans could allow planes to climb quicker during take off and descend more plans are also aiming at helping reduce aviation's climate change impacts and pave the way for new technologies like flying taxis. "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," aviation minister, Mike Kane, changes would allow the largest re-design of UK airspace since it was first formed in the 1950s.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Flight paths shake-up could mean quicker journeys and fewer delays for passengers
The move could even be a boost for 'flying taxis' of the future CHANGE IN THE AIR Flight paths shake-up could mean quicker journeys and fewer delays for passengers Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PASSENGERS could enjoy quicker journeys and fewer delays under the first shake-up of flight paths in 70 years. Ministers have ordered an overhaul of UK airspace to create more direct routes. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up The review could also let planes climb into the sky quicker to reduce the noise for communities below. In the long-term, the government says the redesign would even create the necessary airspace for the 'flying taxis' of the future to operate. Britain's flightpaths have not been changed since the 1950s when there were just 200,000 flights per year, compared with 2.7million in 2024. It has resulted in flight congestion that often forces planes to circle overhead before landing, causing frustration to passengers as well as more emissions. A new UK Airspace Design Service will be up and running by the end of the year, and will first focus on re-carving London's flightpaths in anticipation of a third Heathrow runway. Transport Minister Mike Kane said: 'Redesigned 'skyways' will turbocharge growth in the aviation industry. "Not least by boosting airport expansion plans and supporting job creation, driving millions into the UK economy as part of the Plan for Change. '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.' Tim Alderslade of Airlines UK added: 'Modernising UK airspace is long overdue. "These changes will help to speed up a programme that will provide tangible reforms, from a reduction in delays, improved resilience and lower carbon emissions.' Travelers have only days before May 23 'flight switch' rule ends – you face long delays if you don't act immediately
