The Transport Committee is launching an inquiry into airspace
management and modernisation to identify the need for change to
current airspace structures and potential barriers to
implementing those changes.
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.
This is anticipated to generate costs to the wider economy
through lost flights and trade. It may also result in foregone
environmental benefits, including a potential carbon saving, as
aircraft are forced to fly longer and further than necessary.
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.
The CAA’s Future Airspace Strategy 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.
Terms of reference
The Transport Select Committee is launching an inquiry into the
management and modernisation of UK airspace. 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.
The Committee would be grateful to receive written submissions by
Friday 31 March 2017.
