Latest news with #UKAirspaceDesignService
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How a massive overhaul of UK airspace promises to cut flight times and delays
Faster flights and fewer delays have been promised in the largest redesign of UK airspace in seven decades, as the government drives plans to change flight paths. New laws have been set out in Parliament on Monday 2 June to open up new and more direct flight routes for planes arriving and departing the UK's airspace. The airspace has not seen a change on this scale since it was first formed in the 1950s, when only 200,000 flights traversed it per year. Currently, 2.7 million flights use the UK's flight paths and global forecasts expect a near doubling of passengers and cargo in the next 20 years. Airlines such as easyJet have complained that inefficient use of airspace contributes to increases in fuel consumption, carbon emissions and flight times. While it said this is a universal issue, the 'greatest inefficiencies' are generated during its operations in the UK. Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent at The Independent, said: "The skies of the UK, especially in southeast England, are the busiest in the world – and yet planes are still flying on paths devised in the 1950s. 'Imagine Britain in 2025 without the motorway network, and you get the idea. 'The trouble is: airspace modernisation can't happen overnight, and there will be some noisy objections from people who fear they will get more noise." The Department for Transport (DfT) has stated that noise and air pollution will be reduced for residents who live along flight routes, as the redesigned 'skyways' could allow for planes to climb quickly during take-off and descend more smoothly. It also said that travellers can expect less disruption to flights and shorter journey times due to increased capacity in the air. A reduction of emissions per flight resulting from planes circling the airport waiting for a slot to land can also be expected. The DfT and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) established the UK Airspace Design Service earlier this year after a consultation process in 2024. The service's first focus will be on redesigning London's airspace, with the DfT stating that the expansion of Heathrow alone will create 100,00 jobs, drive economic growth and strengthen its position as a global hub. It is not just commercial flights that may benefit from a flight path redesign, as the UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) could also design routes for emerging technologies such as drones and flying taxis. The DfT said this would be in aid of 'spurring British innovation and delivering highly skilled jobs in the tech space'. The new UKADS will be fully operational by the end of 2025 and will be run by the air traffic control service NATS. Martin Rolfe, CEO of NATS, 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. 'The government's announcement to create a UK Airspace Design Service is a crucial step, building on the work we've already completed in other parts of the UK. 'We look forward to working with the government and the CAA to finalise the details regarding the best way to implement the plan and the processes required to ensure UKADS is successful.'
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
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Flight paths shake-up could mean quicker journeys and fewer delays for passengers
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. Advertisement 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 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. Advertisement READ MORE ON AIR TRAVEL 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.' Advertisement Most read in The Sun 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 1 Passengers could enjoy quicker journeys and fewer delays under the first shake-up of flight paths in 70 years Credit: Alamy
Daily Mirror
3 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.'
