Redesigned airspace could reduce CO2 emissions by 600,000 tonnes annually.

The Government has confirmed that a further £3.7 Mn has been put towards improving the UK’s ‘motorways in the sky.’

It will be the first time since the 1950s that the UK airspace will be modernised and will help rebuild an improved aviation industry after the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.  The goal being to create a greener, resilient, and efficient airspace ready for the future.

The funds will support airports as they develop more efficient flight routes that make use of modern technology, such as Performance-Based Navigation, allowing aircraft to fly more precise paths.

This recent funding follows an initial investment in March 2021, bring the total funding to £9.2m, and has been provided on an exceptional basis.

“This £3.7m in funding will support the industry in upgrading our airspace, allowing the aviation sector to continue to grow while we build back greener, cut carbon emissions and deliver on our ambitious plans to reach ‘Jet Zero,’” said Robert Courts, Aviation Minister.

Responsibility to fund the future stages of the program will be handed over to the airport sponsors as the sector continues to recover.

Despite increased demand for airspace from commercial and private aircraft to the military and drones, the complex network of flight paths that make up Britain’s airspace has barely changed since they were established 70 years ago.

This has led to an increase in pollution, noise, and flight delays, with predictions that by 2030 1 in 3 flights would have 30-minute delays.

The redesigned airspace should allow aircraft to fly more direct and precise routes with faster climbs and a reduced need for holding patterns, and according to early analysis, this will cut up to 600,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.