Latest news with #UKADS
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Boost for holidaymakers as new UK flight path overhaul 'will cut delays and journey lengths' - but campaigners warn local residents will be 'hammered'
Holidaymakers are set to enjoy quicker flights and fewer delays due to an overhaul of the UK's airspace, the Government claimed today. Ministers have set out plans for the largest redesign of Britain's system of flight paths since it was first decided in the 1950s, when there were only 200,000 flights per year. This compares to 2.7million flights in the UK last year, while - since winning power at last July's general election - Labour has committed to expanding major airports. The Department for Transport (DfT) said redesigned 'skyways' would cut delays and emissions per flight by reducing the need for planes to circle in the sky while waiting to land. It also claimed the overhaul could allow planes to climb quicker during take-off and descend more smoothly. DfT said this would reduce noise and air pollution for residents who live along flight routes. But - despite the plans being welcomed by airline and airport bosses - campaign groups hit out at a lack of detail about the potential changes. They warned some overflown communities could be 'hammered' by greater aircraft noise. Under the proposals, the Government hopes a new UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) will be fully operational by the end of this year. Its initial focus will be on redesigning London's airspace, after Labour backed a third runway at Heathrow earlier this year in its scramble for economic growth. Campaigners have said Heathrow expansion could result in an extra 250,000 flights per year. UKADS could also in future design routes that support flight paths for new techonologies such as drones and flying taxis. 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.' Karen Dee, chief executive of AirportsUK, the trade association for UK airports, described Britain's airspace as 'some of the most complex in the world'. 'The UK's airspace is a critical piece of our national infrastructure and these proposals will help modernise it, bringing forward new technologies and routing methods that will make it more efficient, cleaner, and provide passengers with a better experience,' she added. Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, said: 'Modernising UK airspace is long overdue and 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.' But Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (Hacan) and Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (Cagne) were critical of the plans. Paul Beckford, policy director for Hacan, criticised the lack of detail about potential new flight paths as leaving 'longer periods of uncertainty before overflown communities receive any clarity'. 'Whilst we recognise the potential airspace modernisation might bring in terms of reduced noise for some communities and lower emissions from flight, the health impacts of the greater concentration of flight paths needs to be properly understood,' he added. 'The airspace modernisation programme will enable aircraft to fly closer together, which will mean that overflown communities will be hammered by a greater intensity of noise and more frequent noise events.' Cagne said 'residents must live in fear of what is being planned for above their heads and homes.' It branded UKADS as 'another tier of bureaucracy to simply weaken the community voice'.
Yahoo
4 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
4 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.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Holidaymakers to enjoy quicker flights after major UK airspace change
The changes will enable the largest redesign of UK airspace flight paths since it was first formed in the 1950s, when there were only around 200,000 flights per year Holidaymakers will enjoy quicker flights and fewer delays under major plans to open up new and more direct routes. The changes, laid in Parliament today, will enable the largest redesign of UK airspace flight paths since it was first formed in the 1950s, when there were only around 200,000 flights per year, compared to 2.7 million in 2024. The plans will help planes avoid having to circle in the sky while waiting to land, reducing delays and emissions per flight. Redesigned 'skyways' could also allow planes to climb quicker during take-off and descend more smoothly, reducing noise and air pollution for residents who live along flight routes. The new UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS), which will be delivered by NATS (En Route) plc, will be fully operational by the end of this year. It will initially focus on redesigning London's airspace. The Department for Transport said the redesign will support thousands of jobs in the aviation and tourism sectors. More than 100,000 extra jobs are expected to be created through the expansion at Heathrow alone. Over a longer timeframe, the UKADS could design routes that support flight paths for new and emerging technologies such as drones and flying taxis. In April, the Government announced £20million to launch new flight technologies, with ministers suggesting airborne taxis and commercial drones could take flight as soon as 2028. Last week marked a step towards the 2028 ambition after the first British flying taxi completed its first ever flight. Aviation 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. '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, chief executive of Airlines UK, said: "Modernising UK airspace is long overdue and 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.'
