Modernising our airspace will help to reduce pollution from flying and help pave the way for new technologies like flying taxis
Holiday-makers will enjoy quicker flights and fewer delays as part of new laws set out today (2 June 2025) to open up new and more direct routes, propel airport expansion and boost growth.
The changes laid in Parliament today will enable the largest redesign of UK airspace since it was first formed in the 1950s, when there were only around 200,000 flights per year, compared to 2.7 million in 2024. The new UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) will be fully operational by the end of 2025 and will be run by NATS (En Route) plc (NERL).
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Modernising the airspace will open up capacity, supporting growth and thousands of jobs in the aviation and tourism sectors, as well as reducing delays and emissions per flight resulting from planes circling in the sky while waiting to land.
Redesigned ‘skyways’ could also allow planes to climb quicker during take-off and descend more smoothly, reducing noise and air pollution for residents who live along flight routes.
The UKADS’ initial focus will be on redesigning London’s airspace, with expansion at Heathrow alone expected to create over 100,000 extra jobs, turbocharge economic growth, strengthen the UK’s status as a global hub and deliver major benefits for airlines and passengers.
Over a longer timeframe, the UKADS could design routes that support flight paths for new and emerging technologies such as drones and flying taxis, spurring British innovation and delivering highly skilled jobs in the tech space.
The Department for Transport will continue working with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to ensure the swift delivery of these new and improved routes, as well as to ensure independent oversight of the UKADS roll-out.
Aviation Minister, Mike Kane, said:
The measures will help secure the long-term future of the sector and make it more resilient to disruption. The plans come as global forecasts show a near doubling of passengers and cargo in the next 20 years.
One modernisation measure in the south west of England has already been estimated to save 12,000 tonnes a year, enough to power 7 trips around the world, with further modernisation plans expected to deliver even greater results.
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Rob Bishton, Chief Executive of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:
Martin Rolfe, CEO of NATS, said:
Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, the trade association for UK airports, said:
Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, said:
Alison FitzGerald, Chief Executive Officer of London City Airport, said:
Heathrow’s Chief Operating Officer, Javier Echave, said: