Airspace design is important work that requires upfront investment in skills and R&D

The Government has announced that there is to be a consultation on the formation of a new aviation body, UK Airspace Design Service.

 

The new body will look at how to design airspace in an effort to cut delays and improve the sustainability of air transport.

Steve Thomas, Deputy General Secretary of Prospect, said:

“Prospect members working at NATS and across the industry are acutely aware of the importance of air traffic management and airspace design to improving fuel efficiency and thereby reducing emissions.

“This is work that requires upfront investment in skills, technology, and R&D as well as the complex work involved in testing and embedding new procedures and ways of while still providing ongoing air traffic navigation service.

“Our main concern is that there are simply not enough ATCOs and Air Traffic Engineers to provide a resilient service in the here-and-now. It is not clear how ATCOs can be redeployed onto the modernisation project without affecting service levels or which capital projects will be suspended to enable engineers to work on airspace modernisation.

“This consultation and any new body formed must be a prelude to the issue being given greater public priority and Government support, so it is not impeded or compromised by the commercial pressures faced by NATS.”