Consultation to modernise Scotland’s skies draws to a close

• Over 2500 responses received from public and industry stakeholders 
• NATS, Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow Airport are now reviewing feedback as Scottish Airspace Modernisation enters its next stage
• Scotland a step closer to quicker, quieter, cleaner skies 

Public consultation on Scottish Airspace Modernisation has closed after a 14‑week period of engagement that has reached communities, industry partners and political representatives across Scotland. NATS, Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow Airport would like to thank everyone who took the time to participate and contribute to the development of the proposals for Scotland’s airspace.   

Throughout the consultation period Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports and NATS set out their proposals on how Scotland’s airspace should evolve, inviting stakeholders to share their views. Over 2500 responses were received from consultees across the UK, reflecting strong interest in the modernisation of Scottish airspace. In addition, more than 1500 people attended in-person events and online information sessions held between November 2025 and January 2026. These events presented an opportunity for stakeholders to find out more about the proposals and have their questions answered by airport and NATS airspace specialists. 

The events also included interactive mapping, showing key noise information for the proposed changes, and a sound demonstration to show what a representative aircraft could sound like at a chosen location, once the proposals have been implemented. 

All feedback will be read, collated and categorised to determine which responses may affect the proposal. Any feedback with the potential to influence the design will be examined in detail. NATS, Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow Airport will then prepare a Consultation Response Document for their respective Airspace Change Proposals, summarising the consultation, the categorisation work and the key themes that will shape the development of the proposals. Following the Civil Aviation Authority’s review of the consultation each proposal will then be refined based on feedback themes to produce a Final Option Appraisal.  

Lee Boulton, Head of Operations Development at NATS, said: “Consultation is a vital part of the airspace change process, giving those affected by the proposed updates the chance to learn more and share their views. The level of engagement we’ve seen from communities and industry partners throughout the consultation has been incredibly encouraging. Our proposed changes aim to make Scotland’s skies quieter and cleaner for generations to come.” 

Gordon Robertson, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer at Edinburgh Airport, said: “The consultation process has been really valuable thanks to the many conversations we’ve held with our communities and stakeholders. It’s an important part of the Airspace Change journey and we appreciate the strong attendance at our events and the opportunity to talk to communities and explain our work in more detail. We’ll now spend time reviewing the feedback carefully to help shape our next steps.” 

Gavin Birch-Williams, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said: “We’re grateful to our communities and stakeholders for their engagement during our consultation, and we look forward to further developing and refining our proposals based on the feedback received. All feedback will be read, categorised and themed to inform the next stage of our proposals.” 

Mark Swan, Chair of the Airspace Change Organising Group, said “The close of this consultation marks further progress in the modernisation of Scotland’s airspace. ACOG was set up to bring sponsors together, and it’s encouraging to see the collaboration reflected in the proposals and the engagement. ACOG will continue to support Edinburgh Airport, Glasgow Airport and NATS as they review feedback and take the next steps towards delivering quicker, quieter, and cleaner journeys.” 

Coordinated by NATS, Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow Airport, the Scottish Airspace Modernisation consultation represents a key stage in the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) airspace change process. It brings together the proposals set out in the Scottish Masterplan developed by ACOG. The proposed changes are being delivered in line with the UK Airspace Modernisation Strategy, co-sponsored by the CAA and the Department for Transport. The strategy aims to reduce carbon emissions, improve the efficiency and resilience of commercial aviation, enhance safety for all airspace users and enable the safe integration of new aviation technologies.