Legislation is being laid before Parliament on June 2, 2025, that will transform UK airspace and modernize flight paths resulting in quicker flights and fewer delays, according to the British government.
The new laws will see the establishment of the UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS), which will be tasked with modernizing the country’s airspace for the first time since it was formed in the 1950s.
The new UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) will be fully operational by the end of 2025 and will be run by NATS (En Route), also known as NERL.
The UK government said that NERL is the “only organization in the UK with the necessary level of resource and design expertise to deliver the UKADS at pace”.
The redesigned airspace will lead to several benefits including new and more direct routes, greater capacity, and the generation of thousands of jobs.
It 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.
A consultation on the plans said that if UK airspace is not modernized by 2040, one in five flights could experience disruption and delays.
Initially UKADS will focus on redesigning airspace above London, which is the most complex in the UK. This would include any airspace change required for a third runway at London-Heathrow Airport (LHR).
‘One of the busiest and most complex in the world’
“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% 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,” said Martin Rolfe, CEO of NATS.
Over a longer timeframe, the UKADS could design routes that support flight paths for new and emerging technologies such as drones and electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The cost of the UKADS will be met through a new UK Airspace Design Charge, which will primarily apply to commercial airlines. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will consult on the charge as well as proposed changes to the NERL air traffic services license.
On June 2, 2025, two statutory instruments will be laid before Parliament, using powers in the Transport Act 2000 to enable NERL to be tasked with delivering the UKADS.
“The UK’s airspace is a critical piece of our national infrastructure and these proposals will help modernise it, bringing forward new technologies and routing methods that will make it more efficient, cleaner, and provide passengers with a better experience,” said Karen Dee, CEO of AirportsUK
Dee added: “Our airspace is some of the most complex in the world and we welcome the new UKADS that will bring together all the parties involved to help overcome some of the challenges this creates.”
