GATCO, the Association of UK Flight Information Service Officers (AUKFISO), the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA), the General Aviation (GA) Alliance and the Honourable Company of Air Pilots have published today a join position statement on the UK airspace of the future, marking the beginning of a 5-way collaboration to ensure operational stakeholders, which have detailed knowledge and expertise, are actively involved in defining the UK airspace of the future.

The UK Airspace of the Future – Joint Position Statement

The departure from EASA, as part of Brexit, and the reduction in flight movements due to the pandemic present the UK with a once in a lifetime unique opportunity to totally redesign outdated UK airspace, its regulation and procedures and the technology that supports it.

While the UK’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy is a welcome step in the right direction, it continues the piecemeal approach of airspace infrastructure modernisation of the last 70 years, imposing minor or localised modifications based on legacy technology and infrastructure. If the UK is to continue being at the forefront of aviation worldwide, it requires an ambitious vision of a modern, safe, efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective airspace structure, which benefits from current and future technology and which encompasses the needs of all airspace users.

The undersigned seek to refocus the Airspace Modernisation Strategy and develop a holistic vision of the UK airspace which will support aviation and the wider UK economy.

The Association of UK Flight Information Service Officers (AUKFISO) consists of 35 members units and provides an industry platform for FIS units around the UK. Contact: office (at) aukfiso (dot) com

The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) is the professional association representing over 10,000 of the UK’s commercial airlines and helicopter pilots. Contact: balpa (at) balpa (dot) org

The General Aviation (GA) Alliance is an independent partnership of organisations representing 72,000 members from GA and sports and recreational aviation interests. Contact: contactus (at) gaalliance (dot) org (dot) uk

The Guild of Air Traffic Control Officers (GATCO) is a UK-wide professional organisation representing over 1,600 civil and military air traffic controllers and ATM professionals. Contact: info (at) gatco (dot) org

The Honourable Company of Air Pilots is a City of London Livery Company representing over 1,900 UK and overseas air pilots and navigators across all sectors of aviation. Contact: office (at) airpilots (dot) org

You can download the joint position statement here.