ACOG ‘Remobilising Airspace Change’ Report
A new report highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on the current airspace modernisation programme, setgin out key recommendations to remobilise the national programme of airspace change.
The report demonstrates the severe impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the industry, and in particular, UK airports’ ability to take forward the national programme of airspace change. It highlights that a shortage of funding and uncertainty surrounding the programme is putting at risk the national benefits that upgrading the UK’s airspace will deliver.
The UK’s airspace is a crucial part of this country’s transport infrastructure. Just like our roads and railways, it must be upgraded to keep people and goods moving as efficiently and reliably as possible
Once delivered, airspace change will unlock significant benefits for UK businesses, passengers, and the environment. Critically, airspace modernisation could play a central role in the decarbonisation of the UK aviation sector. Current forecasts show that modernising airspace offers the potential to reduce aviation emissions by up to 20% by 2050.
Airspace modernisation is a complex project to undertake and has already attracted significant investment by the aviation industry. Our new report highlights that these investments could quickly become obsolete if the proposals are not progressed further in a reasonable timeframe.
Fundamentally, a significant pause to the airspace programme risks an integral part of the UK’s national transport infrastructure – one already in need of an upgrade – deteriorating further. This would leave the UK’s airspace unable to manage efficiently when the sector enters recovery and eventually resumes normal operations.
The country simply cannot afford to lose the progress made to modernise the UK’s airspace and the opportunity to create a more environmentally friendly national network.
We will continue to work with the Government to ensure that this vital UK infrastructure project is maintained.
