Inside the process of airspace change

Changing the UK’s airspace is a meticulous process that requires significant planning. It cannot be done quickly, and every step is shaped by requirements from the Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). These regulations ensure that changes remain safe and fair, while supporting wider sector goals such as emissions reduction, management of noise impact and capacity growth.

Why airspace needs to change

Airspace changes range from small technical adjustments to major network redesigns. Large-scale changes are already in progress following the publication of the Government’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy in 2018. This plan outlines the need to overhaul the UK’s existing airspace and routes, some of which date back to the 1950s.

Airspace modernisation aims to deliver cleaner, quieter, smarter skies. So, with every change we undertake, the design must prioritise safety, sustainability, capacity and consider the wider aviation industry such as runway expansion and diverse airspace users. 

Working with stakeholders

Our focus is to deliver a transparent and inclusive process that follows the guidelines laid out by the DfT and CAA.

The level of engagement required varies with the scale of each project. Smaller changes may only require coordination with other Air Navigation Service Providers and airspace users, while larger proposals require extensive engagement with specifically identified stakeholders and, sometimes, a full public consultation.

The UK’s airspace is shared by many users outside of Commercial Air Transport, including the military, general aviation, and emerging technology, such as drones. Each group has unique needs and constraints. For larger proposals that include changes at lower altitudes, a public consultation is required. Within any consultation there is a legal requirement to review every response submitted; all feedback must be considered. 

Safety and compliance

Safety is at the heart of every proposal; a change can only move forward if it is demonstrated to be at least as safe as the system it’s replacing. Risk mitigation is a major part of the process, and proposals go through testing, refinement, and validation until they meet the required standard.

Process compliance is crucial and all airspace changes must be granted approval by the CAA. NATS has a small team dedicated to ensuring it complies with the Airspace Change Process, the teams work closely with Air Traffic Control and analytics experts to quantify project benefits. Before any large-scale change can be deployed, the air traffic controllers must be trained in the new airspace and procedures. This can involve briefing materials for self-study, digital learning, full simulation exercises, and structured assessments to ensure controllers understand the new procedures and that the airspace remains safe for all users. 

Bringing designs to life

Specialists develop designs to ensure they offer the best balance of often-competing topics such as environmental performance and capacity. Tools such as DesignAir, which was developed in-house, allow proposals to be validated using real-world data, providing accurate predictions of emissions and time savings. Once a preferred airspace system is identified, it’s tested with controllers and airlines in realistic scenarios for additional subject expert feedback.

After consultation is complete, feedback is assessed and the design is updated where necessary. Once a final version is approved and training is complete, the change can be deployed.