Glasgow airport consultation on flight path changes, modernising for satellite navigation
Glasgow airport has a consultation currently (ends on Friday 13th April) on changes in future to its flight paths. The airport says: “… it is our intention to request permission from the CAA to implement these new procedures which will minimise the amount of time aircraft queue, both in the air and on the ground,” and make some minimal fuel (CO2) savings. It is claimed changes are needed to cope with increased passenger numbers and airspace congestion, and are part of the UK Future Airspace Strategy (FAS) driven by the CAA, due to the change to satellite based navigation. Ground navigation aids currently used by Glasgow Airport will be decommissioned in 2019. There will be a number of drop-in sessions for the public. Feedback will be presented to the CAA before the necessary approval can be granted. The Scottish Green Party commented that the proposals would see an increase in flights over areas including parts of Kilbarchan, resulting in more noise pollution for local residents. They are urging people to respond. “The projections show that parts of Renfrewshire will see the biggest increase in noise. Edinburgh Airport’s recent attempt to ignore the views of communities backfired spectacularly, so Glasgow Airport would be wise to listen to the concerns of those living in Renfrewshire carefully.” New flight paths were strenuously opposed at Edinburgh airport.
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Green Party questions Glasgow Airport plans to revise flight paths
22 January 2018
By Ros Greer(Renfrewshire.24)
Politicians from the Scottish Green Party have questioned plans by Glasgow Airport to revise flight paths, which the airport says is needed to cope with increased passenger numbers and airspace congestion.
Related: Glasgow Airport launch a public consultation on proposals to modernise our airspace including new airspace routes
Ross Greer, Green MSP for the West of Scotland and Patrick Harvie, Greens Economy spokesperson claim proposals would see an increase in flights over areas including parts of Kilbarchan, resulting in more noise pollution for local residents.
Airport bosses have said that the new system will improve punctuality and allow them to reduce CO2 emissions. A consultation on the changes was launched this week and residents have 13 weeks to make their views known.
Ross Greer, MSP for the West of Scotland region which includes Glasgow Airport said: “Voices of local communities across the West of Scotland need to be heard and I urge as many people as possible to look at the proposals and respond. I know that people in Renfrewshire have to live with the noise and air pollution from aircraft and this has been a major concern of residents for some years.
“The projections show that parts of Renfrewshire will see the biggest increase in noise. Edinburgh Airport’s recent attempt to ignore the views of communities backfired spectacularly, so Glasgow Airport would be wise to listen to the concerns of those living in Renfrewshire carefully.”
Patrick Harvie said: “Growing the most polluting form of transport for the benefit of wealthy frequent fliers is not a priority when bus and rail fares are going through the roof, hitting everyday commuters in the pocket. It’s hard to believe the airport’s claims that new routes will cut carbon emissions when their ultimate aim is more flights.
“The aviation industry’s claims about reducing its environmental impact tend to fall apart when looked at in any detail, as we saw when the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee questioned the wild claims behind the proposal to cut Air Departure Tax.”
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Glasgow Airport flight paths ‘not fit for purpose’
15 January 2018 (BBC)
Airport bosses have said flight paths used around Glasgow since the 1960s are no longer fit for purpose.
The warning comes as a 13-week consultation plan on proposed new airspace routes is launched.
It is claimed changes are needed to cope with increased passenger numbers and airspace congestion.
Recent attempts to change Edinburgh Airport’s flight paths sparked opposition from local communities concerned about noise pollution.
The Glasgow proposals form part of the UK Future Airspace Strategy (FAS) driven by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
A key element of the plan involves removing ground-based navigation aids in favour of satellite systems.
Ground navigation aids used by Glasgow Airport, which guide the aircraft to and from the airfield, will be decommissioned in 2019.
Image copyrightGLASGOW AIRPORT
Image copyrightGLASGOW AIRPORTSupporters say the move to satellite systems will help reduce the time planes queue in the air and on the ground and reduce overall CO2 and fuel emissions.
Mark Johnston, operations director at Glasgow Airport, said: “The flight paths used at Glasgow Airport have not changed in over 50 years and, as is the case with the wider UK airspace infrastructure, they are simply no longer fit for purpose.
“We now need to ensure the way we manage our airspace matches the advancements that have been made in aircraft technology.
“Modern aircraft are now equipped to use satellite navigation, meaning they can fly more efficient, reliable and direct routes.
“In moving to this new system, not only will we be able to improve the punctuality of flights, we will be able to reduce the amount of fuel burn from aircraft at Glasgow by over 4,000 tonnes.”
Mr Johnston urged local communities to take part in the flight path consultation.
He said: “It is important to stress we will only make changes to the arrival or departure flight paths once we have considered the views of all those who respond to the airspace change consultation.
“We will host a number of drop-in sessions over the course of the coming months and all views will then be presented to our regulator, the CAA, before the necessary approval can be granted.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-42681134
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Glasgow Airport page on the changes
https://www.glasgowairport.com/airspace
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Airspace
Glasgow Airport is proud to be an integral part of the communities we serve. As a key city, regional and national asset we recognise that we must continue to invest, modernise and grow responsibly.
An industry-wide drive to create airspace infrastructure fit for the 21st Century is now underway. A key element of the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Future Airspace Strategy involves the removal of ground-based navigation aids across the UK and using state-of-the-art satellite navigation systems. The ground navigation aid which Glasgow Airport has been using to guide aircraft to and from the airfield since the 1980s will be decommissioned by our air traffic control provider, NATS, in 2019.
As a result, we need to modernise our current approach and departure procedures. This will enable us to better manage the airspace around the airport without compromising the safety of aircraft which will be able to operate smoother and more efficient approach and departure routes.
Following a full and open consultation, it is our intention to request permission from the CAA to implement these new procedures which will minimise the amount of time aircraft queue, both in the air and on the ground, and reduce overall CO2 and fuel emissions by 21%.
Our consultation document is available to download below. It sets out in detail what we are proposing to do and how you can take part in the consultation which will close for submissions on Friday 13 April 2018.
We will only make changes to our flight paths once we have considered the views of all those who respond. These views will then be presented to our regulator, the CAA, before the necessary approval can be granted.
We are fully committed to growing the airport responsibly and modernising our airspace will help us achieve that.
It is important that our communities and stakeholders are fully involved in this modernisation process and we would be very grateful if you could take the time to respond to this consultation.
We are also required to publish an updated Noise Action Plan every five years and will be undertaking a parallel 13-week consultation on a draft plan. The Noise Action Plan sets out proposed measures to manage and mitigate the impact of aviation-related noise. You can find further information on this consultation here.
and there is more at
https://www.glasgowairport.com/airspace
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