NATS, airports, airlines etc form new campaign “The Sky’s The Limit” to lobby for “modernised” UK airspace (ie. for 50% more planes)

NATS has the job of getting as many planes safely using UK skies as possible, and that is how it makes money.  NATS gets extra payments if delays to flights are reduced, and if there are slight savings in fuel (=cost) to the airlines who pay them, for more direct routing etc. The industry fears that, with growing numbers of flights as air travel keeps growing, the amount of delays will rise, as the airspace is already crowded over the south east of the UK.  Delays cost airlines (and NATS) money, and so NATS is keen to “modernise” our airspace. This means redesigning it “to make use of modern aircraft technology”. The aim is to increase the current 600 dedicated flight paths in operation at present – 300 for departures and 300 for arrivals – to allow for about 50% more aircraft. They anticipate 3.1 million passenger aircraft per year using UK airports by 2030, compared to 2.1 million now.  NATS knows this will mean “more households would be affected by “some” noise under the plans.”  NATS and the government have no idea how to make this fair to those overflown. What NATS wants is the “efficiency” of narrow routes, where intense aircraft noise causes significant disturbance and even distress to those below. There is no way noise can be limited without reducing the number of flights, which the industry would not contemplate. There is now a new campaign by the industry called “The Sky’s The Limit” to lobby for airspace changes, to fit in 50% more planes. The DfT will hold a consultation early next year on airspace change.
.

 

UK needs urgent airspace modernisation – NATS

.

.