Consultation by Transport Committee on “modernisation” of airspace, especially to add a new runway

Date added: 1 February, 2017

Government consultations on the Heathrow National Policy Statement and airspace change start on 2nd February. In addition there is an inquiry by the Commons Transport Committee, on management and “modernisation” of airspace. What modernisation means is more narrow flight paths, intensively used, in order to free up airspace so more planes can be accommodated. The south east of England is already (perhaps equal to the area round New York) the most intensely used area of airspace in the world. To fit in another fully used Heathrow runway, space must be found to deal with the extra planes. It is considered as given that expanding air travel is good, and whatever is needed to do this must happen. The effect for those on the ground is likely to mean more narrow flight paths, with high levels of traffic down each. That means potentially very high noise levels for those affected, often for most of each day, on most days. The Committee say without “modernisation” the economy suffers, due to flight delays and business is lost. This ignores the fact that about 70% of Heathrow is leisure passengers. The excuse is also made that fuel is saved by aircraft, in taking the shortest route – which is good, but this cost saving to the airline should be balanced by the social cost of the added plane noise. The Transport Committee consultation ends on 31st March.
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Airspace management and modernisation inquiry launched

26 January 2017

The Transport Committee [which is very enthusiastic about getting a new Heathrow runway. AW comment] launches an inquiry into airspace management and modernisation to identify the need for change to current airspace structures and potential barriers to implementing those changes.

Inquiry background

The UK’s controlled airspace is described as the invisible motorways in the sky where commercial aircraft fly.The basic structure of this airspace was developed over 50 years ago when aircraft were very different and traffic demand was much lower. Since then there have been major changes to the performance and operational capability of aircraft.

With 3.1 million flights a year, carrying 350 million passengers expected in the UK by 2030, forecasts show that – with a continuation of current infrastructure and airspace procedures – 23% of flights will delayed by more than 30 minutes by 2030. [The origin of this figure would be interesting. AW comment]

This is anticipated to generate costs to the wider economy through lost flights and trade. [Heathrow only has, at most, 30% of passengers on business. About 70% are flying for leisure reasons, on holidays or visiting friends and family. A few minutes delay are not of any serious economic cost to the UK. AW comment]

It may also result in foregone environmental benefits, including a potential carbon saving, as aircraft are forced to fly longer and further than necessary. [This is, in effect, a very tiny fuel saving – and may come at the expense of very intense noise suffered by some areas. AW comment]

To mitigate these future costs, industry – led by the campaign group Sky’s the Limit – have been calling for UK airspace to be modernised, including proposals to transition to modern satellite navigation and redesigning flight paths to enable more efficient aircraft operation. [More efficient aircraft operation means, in plain English, less costs for airlines now, and fitting in an extra 50% more flights for Heathrow in coming decades. AW comment]

The CAA’s Future Airspace Strategy (PDF 1.6MB) was produced in June 2011 with a programme to modernise airspace across the UK out to 2030.

Airspace trials were subsequently conducted at Heathrow and Gatwick in 2014 attracting a significant number of complaints and negative reaction from some local communities, particularly in terms of the lack of consultation prior to the trials commencing. This led to the Government reducing support for airspace modernisation and major proposals to modernise airspace were subsequently been delayed.

Call for written submissions

The Committee is particularly interested to receive submissions addressing some or all of the following:

The role of Government in facilitating improvements to the airspace
The need for modernisation, in terms of the economic and environmental sustainability benefits, and the risks for the aviation industry and wider economy from maintaining the current airspace structures
The essential changes that need to be made to UK airspace, particularly those associated with the development of an additional runway in the South East
Progress of the Civil Aviation Authority’s Future Airspace Strategy in achieving its core objectives of reducing congestion, improving safety and taking advantage of new technologies to enable a more efficient airspace system
The barriers to modernisation of airspace, including the environmental and community considerations arising from changes to the current arrangements for managing UK airspace
The effectiveness and adequacy of engagement with affected communities when planning and introducing airspace changes and the lessons to be learnt from recent trials, particularly at Heathrow and Gatwick
The merits of an Independent Aviation Noise Authority and desirability of classifying airspace within the National Infrastructure Commission’s remit
The UK’s relationship with the European Union in terms of airspace management and any potential issues arising from Brexit

Submit your views through the airspace management and modernisation inquiry page.

Deadline for written submissions is Friday 31 March 2017.

People have to submit their response to this webpage:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/transport-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/inquiry1/commons-written-submission-form/

Fill in the form, and then attach your detailed comments as a Word document.

You cannot just send an email. You cannot submit in writing, by snail mail.

Scope of the inquiry