The Process
The modernisation of airspace around UK airports is a highly complex and technical project that has never been done before at this scale and involves 20 airports. Because of the number of airports involved and the complexities of it, ACOG’s role is to coordinate the changes into a single coordinated implementation plan – known as the Airspace Change Masterplan.
One of the most complex and pressing aspects of airspace modernisation is the need to redesign flight paths, to make the most of the capabilities of modern aircraft and navigational technology that have been developed in recent decades.
Airspace Modernisation Strategy
The starting point for the airspace modernisation programme is the vision set out by the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – called the Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS).
The AMS requires the main airports to redesign their airspace (below 7000ft) and for NATS, the UK’s main navigation service provider, to modernise the network that sits above 7000ft, known as en-route airspace. As part of the AMS, it identified the need to redesign flight paths across the UK to make the most of the capabilities of modern aircraft and navigational technologies that have been developed in recent years.
Airspace Change Proposals
There are currently 20 UK airports and NATS involved in the delivery of the national programme of airspace change that ACOG is coordinating. Each are developing their own Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) which lays out their modernisation plans. When creating their ACPs, the airports and NATS are required to go through a stringent set of steps set out by the CAA, called the Airspace Change Process, or CAP1616.
This process involves numerous stages and places great importance on engaging and consulting with a wide range of stakeholders. The CAA is responsible for assessing proposals and in most cases, deciding whether to approve or reject them.
Airspace Change Masterplan
Modernising airspace in the UK is particularly complex as many airports share their airspace with neighbouring airports. A proposed change at one airport, might have an impact on another nearby, and these effects need to be assessed and balanced.
ACOG’s role is to coordinate these changes into a single Airspace Change Masterplan. The Masterplan will set out what airspace changes are needed to upgrade the UK’s airspace and deliver the objectives of airspace modernisation at a strategic level. It will provide detailed information on the ACPs, any potential areas of overlap and what trade-offs may be necessary to ensure they fit together seamlessly.
The Masterplan coordinates but does not determine changes to the airspace design – it will not set out the new airspace designs, these must be developed by a sponsor of airspace change.
The Airspace Change Masterplan is a single co-ordinated implementation plan that identifies the airspace design changes need to be developed to deliver the range of benefits that modernisation will bring to the UK.
The Masterplan is being developed in iterations that are each assessed by the co-sponsors, the DfT and the CAA. Iteration 1 was published in 2020, providing a high-level programme plan for airspace changes in the south of England. Iteration 2 was published in 2022, expanding the scope to a national view and began identifying potential cross-overs between the proposals.
To ensure modernisation progresses as quickly as possible, the airports have been grouped into four clusters based on their location. The first group to make changes will be Scotland.
In line with this, Masterplan Iteration 3 will be released in stages based on the four different clusters. Iteration 4 will be the final iteration which will incorporate feedback from various consultations.
Learn more about airspace change