UK skies nearing capacity warn air traffic chiefs

NATS - which manages the UK’s air traffic control systems - expects to handle a record-breaking 8,800 flights today (Friday 21^st July) and more than 770,000 overall during the course of the summer, beating last year’s figure by 40,000 and the previous high set in 2007.

Whilst NATS says it is confident that it will be able to handle the sudden increase in traffic over coming weeks, it has also warned that the UK is getting close to manageable limits.

“In the last few weeks we have already safely managed record-breaking daily traffic levels, but the ageing design of UK airspace means we will soon reach the limits of what can be managed without delays rising significantly,” said Jamie Hutchison, director at NATS’ Swanwick air traffic control centre.

NATS is currently spending in excess of £600m on new technology to help boost capacity – including an advanced new digital control system at London City Airport - but argues that investment must be accompanied by a redesign of the UK’s network of flight paths and air routes, changes that will require government support.