The noise of aircraft can’t be eliminated – but it can be managed. As airspace is modernised, changes to flight paths are carefully considered to reduce noise where possible.

On take-off, new route designs can avoid the same areas being overflown constantly. On arrival, aircraft will be able to stay higher for longer, meaning less noise for people below. Likewise, new technologies will support continuous climb, which helps to avoid low level overflight and noise disruption.

All changes to UK airspace, whether made by NATS or by other airspace users, are governed through the CAA’s CAP1616 process. In line with government priorities, airspace changes at and above 7,000ft should prioritise the reduction of aircraft CO2e emissions, below this point the environmental assessment shifts to noise.

As more people choose to fly, it’s our responsibility to help drive, deliver and maintain a sustainable future for aviation. Reducing aviation’s environmental impact, particularly global greenhouse gas emissions, matters to all of us.

You may be surprised to know that air traffic controllers receive extensive training to factor environmental impact into their decision-making. And we’re measured on it too. In fact, NATS is the first ANSP in the world to develop environmental metrics which the CAA uses as part of our regulatory performance targets.

To minimise emissions, we’re phasing out ground-based navigational beacons – those invisible points aircraft used to fly between. In their place, we’re harnessing new technologies to enable more direct and efficient routes. This means shorter journeys and lower CO₂ output per flight.

Airspace modernisation gives us the go-ahead to design new, smarter routes. We will also be able to get aircraft higher, quicker on take-off and keep them higher for longer on arrival – all of which reduces fuel use and emissions.

While delays are an unavoidable part of flying, the role of air traffic control in causing them is actually very small. In the last year, UK air traffic control contributed to just 1% of all European delays –a figure we’re proud of and always looking to improve.

Airspace modernisation is already making a difference to delays. By creating more direct routes and streamlining how aircraft move through the skies, we’re reducing delays and helping to better manage flows of traffic. This leads to aircraft spending less time circling or waiting to land, meaning passengers get to where they’re going, quicker. As we modernise more of the UK’s airspace, the impact of these changes will bring greater benefits to passengers.