The Civil Aviation Authority has revamped its airspace strategy to incorporate more environmental considerations, as well as new types of aircraft such as drones, aerial taxis and spacecraft.
The regulator said its new “vision for the future of UK airspace” will help deliver “quicker, quieter and cleaner journeys”.
Its refreshed Airspace Modernisation Strategy takes a long-term view to 2040 and aims to make sure that this “invisible piece” of the UK’s national infrastructure is “fit for purpose”.
As well as accommodating new types of aircraft such as drones and spacecraft, the strategy has environmental sustainability as an overarching principle.
It will meet the UK’s international obligations, and “provide a clear strategic path” now that the UK has left the European Union and the EU Aviation Safety Agency.
Tim Johnson, CAA strategy and policy director, said: “The strategic vision set out in our refreshed strategy gives us a direction of travel that guides airspace modernisation.
“It will help make our airspace more environmentally friendly and sustainable, and deliver the many benefits of airspace modernisation.
“Alongside existing users of airspace like commercial air transport, business aviation, recreational flyers and the military, there are new parts of the sector which need to be integrated safely into our existing airspace network.”
Aviation minister Baroness Vere added: “It’s easy to forget that above our heads is a complex infrastructure that, while invisible to the naked eye, is as essential to getting around as roads and railways.
“But the future of flying requires a refresh of how we use our skies, and this new strategy will develop the infrastructure to make it fit for the future.”
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