Overview

• Legislation establishes the UK Airspace Design Service under NATS (En Route) plc, set to be fully operational by the end of 2025.
• UKADS will begin by overhauling London’s airspace to clear capacity for Heathrow’s third runway, with expansion at the hub expected to support over 100,000 jobs.
• New ‘skyways’ are designed to cut flight times and reduce delays by mapping direct routes in place of century-old flight corridors.
• Redesigned flight paths aim to lower carbon emissions and curb noise under holding stacks through smoother climb and descent profiles.
• The service will plan for emerging flight technologies such as drones and flying taxis; community groups warn that altered routes could increase noise pollution and depress housing values.