London Gatwick Airport and NATS, a UK-based provider of air traffic services, have launched a joint consultation on proposed airspace changes over southern England.
The London Airspace Consultation (LAC) will be in effect from October 15, 2013 to January 21, 2014 and available online at www.londonairspaceconsultation.co.uk, for stakeholders and the public to view and leave feedback.
The consultation is part of wider programme of proposed changes to deliver the UK’s Future Airspace Strategy (FAS), developed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). It is expected to deliver significant benefits, including fuel savings for airlines, which means fewer CO2 emissions, and less noise overall for people living in the airport’s proximity.
At present the proposed changes focus on the airspace supporting London Gatwick Airport from ground level up, and also the airspace supporting London City Airport above 4,000ft. Later stages will address proposals for airspace supporting other parts of the London airports network, to be complete by 2020.
Juliet Kennedy, NATS’ operations director, Swanwick, said: ‘The airspace change programme is essential if we are to contribute to and ensure the success of the UK’s Future Airspace Strategy (FAS). The airspace above London is the most complex in the world, and as traffic levels increase change is necessary to ensure safety and service levels.’
Tom Denton, head of corporate responsibility at London Gatwick, said: ‘Gatwick is committed to leading the way in terms of airspace innovation and operation, which is why we were so keen to be the first major UK airport to work with NATS to fully review and consult on our airspace.
‘This project gives us an opportunity to further reduce the number of people affected by noise, as well as focus on further reducing Co2 emissions and air quality impacts. Therefore this is an important time for local people and those who live within our flight paths, who now have a once in a lifetime opportunity to give their feedback and influence the future of our airspace.’
