The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has updated its Airspace Change Process in order to reflect new Government changes outlined in the Air Navigation Directions and Air Navigation Guidance.
Set to come into effect on 1 October 2026, the changes will come into effect alongside the recently updated CAP1616 (Civil Aviation Publication 1616) process – a major reform on the way that airspace changes are proposed, assessed and approved.
The framework will aim to support a more efficient and adaptable airspace system, and is expected to have an immediate effect on proposed airspace changes to the London areas.
All changes within have been devised to help reduce flight delays caused by capacity constraints, improve the efficiency of airspace and ensure the impacts to local communities are properly considered, with consultation set to remain a fundamental part of the overall process.
The update will seek to enable a more ‘agile and responsive’ airspace system, as well as enable innovation by introducing a streamlined process for short-term activities. The reforms will also strengthen alignment between the airspace change process and wider planning frameworks, which the CAA has stated will allow for greater clarity for industry, as well as enable airspace change proposals to be dealt with more efficiently, aligning with planning decisions.
Communities affected by airspace change will continue to be given opportunities to provide feedback through consultation, with proposals being assessed against their impacts.
CAP1616 is a key framework in enabling airspace modernisation; with Government setting policy, industry developing airspace change proposals, and the UK Civil Aviation Authority independently deciding whether the proposals meet the required standards.
Giancarlo Buono, Director of Safety and Airspace Regulation at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:Following recent changes to Government policy, the UK's airspace must continue to evolve to support a changing aviation sector, from modernising existing operations to accommodating new technologies and users. The revised CAP1616 process provides a simpler and more proportionate framework for making these changes.
By tailoring requirements to the scale and impact of proposals, we can reduce unnecessary burdens and help organisations make progress, whilst keeping a consistent focus on safety, evidence and impact.
