New Civil Engineer
Thomas Johnson
02 June 2025
Promising faster flights and fewer delays, new laws introduced in Parliament today, 2 June, are aimed at modernising the UK’s airspace and supporting airport expansion across the country.
Central to the reforms is the establishment of the UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS), a body operated by NATS (En Route) (NERL), which is expected to be fully operational by the end of this year. UKADS will manage the redesign of ‘skyways’—the invisible air routes that aircraft follow—which could allow planes to climb more swiftly after take-off and descend more smoothly before landing. These changes are projected to reduce both noise and air pollution for communities living under flight paths.
Initially, efforts will concentrate on reconfiguring the complex airspace over London, a move linked to expansion plans at Heathrow Airport. Officials estimate the Heathrow development alone could generate over 100,000 additional jobs and significantly boost economic growth. The plans are also intended to strengthen the UK’s position as a global aviation hub and offer improved experience and efficiency for passengers and airlines alike.
Beyond immediate passenger flight improvements, the UKADS initiative is designed with an eye on the future of aviation technology. It could pave the way for integrating new flight modes such as drones and flying taxis into the national airspace system, fostering innovation and creating skilled technology jobs.
The Department for Transport (DfT) will collaborate closely with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to ensure that the airspace modernisation proceeds smoothly and with independent oversight. The changes also aim to build greater resilience into the aviation sector, helping it to better withstand potential disruptions.
Read on: ‘Most significant redesign’ of UK airspace since 1950s introduced in Parliament | New Civil Engineer
