Community interests should be front and centre of airspace modernisation policy

8th April, 2025

In its recent response to the Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) consultation on the establishment of a single authority to lead airspace modernisation in the UK, AEF expressed its disappointment that community and environmental stakeholders are not automatically represented at all levels in the governance structure, including on the UK Airspace Design Service (ADS) Advisory Board.

The proposal from the Department of Transport (DfT) and CAA is to create a UK ADS as a single guiding mind to coordinate and sponsor future airspace changes. The Labour government confirmed after its election win in summer 2024 that it would be pressing ahead with plans to redesign the UK’s crowded airspace.

The consultation asks about the plans for the UK ADS, including the role, scope and funding model, as well as other policy and regulatory considerations. You can read our response here.