NATS LAMP Deployment 1.1 (LD1.1)
Published responses
View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.
Overview
Video with subtitles available here.
The London Airspace Modernisation Programme 2 Deployment 1.1 (LAMP2D1.1, abbreviated herein to LD1.1) airspace (see Figure 1 below) is critical airspace within the European and World ATM network. It is situated at a crossroads of east-west/north-south traffic flows between Europe and the London area, and Ireland and North America, and between the north of England and Scotland and France, Iberia and beyond. Today’s air traffic services (ATS) route network has evolved over time and does not fully exploit modern navigation technology. The objective of this project is to update the route network in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS) using Performance Based Navigation (PBN). This will provide benefits in capacity whilst minimising environmental impacts and ensuring the recovery and continued growth of aviation is sustainable.
Modernising the ATS route network involves systemising traffic flows to allow optimal profiles to be flown, reduce interactions between aircraft, reduce ATC workload and in turn enable an increase in network capacity.
Many of the airports that feed aircraft into this airspace, across the UK and those airports that sit underneath, are planning to modernise their low-level arrival and departure routes, to ensure they can meet the needs for sustainable future growth. Modernising the network will ensure their requirements can be met, and that the overlying network does not become a constraint on future growth. This airspace change is being progressed concurrently with the proposed introduction of Free Route Airspace (FRA) in the higher level airspace. Hence this consultation and that for FRA in the airspace above are linked and, if approved, it is the intention to implement both changes simultaneously.
Additionally, we are taking this opportunity to perform a thorough review of the controlled airspace required, and our operational procedures, to ensure the needs of all other airspace users are met whenever possible.
The project is now at the consultation stage, where we present the detail of the viable design options and request feedback on these.
The Statement of Need states the desired outcome is for “Optimal alignment and connectivity of the ATS route network with each airport’s airspace structures, such that the network capacity should not be a significant constraint on airport capacity and environmental impacts are minimised.”
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Figure 1 Airspace area covered by LAMP Deployment 1.1 (LD1.1) |
Figure 1 shows the geographical extent that the changes proposed cover. Along with the CAA’s AMS, the changes proposed aim to support the needs of all Airspace Users and Aviation Stakeholders to ensure changes are fit for purpose and comply with the required regulation and legislation.
The Design Principles (see consultation doc para. 2.11 and ref 5) which were developed with stakeholders at Stage 1, form a comprehensive list of objectives which the proposed design should aim to meet.
The changes proposed are all above 7,000ft, hence, in accordance with Government guidance, mitigation of noise impacts to stakeholders on the ground is not prioritised (Ref 14 para 4.1d). Due to the altitude of the proposed changes, assessment of environmental impacts is limited to CO2 emissions.
Previous CAP1616 stages have summarised the design options development (Refs 6-7). The design options being progressed to consultation are:
• LD1.1 Option 0. Do nothing and maintain the current ATS route structure.
• LD1.1 Option 4. Systemisation using PBN routes based on 5nm radar separation environment, with improved connectivity provided by direct routes with FRA above FL305 (FL245 in Sector 9)
• LD1.1 Option 6. Systemisation using PBN routes based on 5nm radar separation, interfacing with Free Route Airspace (FRA) above FL245
The “do nothing” option has been discounted as it does not fully meet several design principles (see Ref 6). However, the current airspace is the baseline against which all proposed changes are measured, hence it is included for comparison purposes. There is still scope for feedback on the specific details of the design options upon which we are consulting – the removal of other options does not remove the scope for formative feedback.
The proposed changes aim to introduce an improved, systemised route network between 7,000ft and 24,500ft (FL70-FL245)[2], and are aligned with the UK Airspace Modernisation Strategy (Ref 13).
The purpose of this consultation is to ensure that stakeholders who could be positively or negatively affected by these changes, are made aware of this airspace change proposal and given the opportunity to submit feedback about the designs.
Through our engagement activities undertaken so far, we have sought to ensure that:
• the correct audience is targeted in an appropriate manner and given the opportunity to respond.
• the consultation materials we produce provide stakeholders with enough detail to make an informed response.
• the duration of the consultation is appropriate.
The consultation is targeted to begin on 6th Sept, and end 29th November 2021 (12 weeks)
This consultation document is below (and may be downloaded) and the response questionnaire is linked at the bottom of this page.
The following useful materials are also included below:
- Google Map (to enable the routes to be viewed in more detail)
- Q&A document to give answers to frequently asked questions.
- Feedback questionnaire.
- Links to all supporting material
If the proposal is approved by the CAA, implementation of the airspace change will occur not before 23rd March 2023.
This implementation is being coordinated with Free Route Airspace Deployment 2 (FRA D2) which proposes to change the airspace above the LD1.1 region to Free Route Airspace. The consultations for these two ACPs are being run simultaneously. Information on the FRA D2 (ACP-2019-12) consultation is available here.
(https://consultations.airspacechange.co.uk/nats/nats-fra-d2)
This document relates to the LD1.1 changes and provides information about two alternative options for changing the airspace. Please read the descriptions of the proposed changes in section 4 and the likely impacts in section 5. You are then requested to submit your comments and feedback using the questionnaire which is provided linked below.
The consultation document is available below, and at the bottom of this web page along with supporting material.
[1] Note there are some high-level connecting routes which extend beyond the red outline which require re-alignment to facilitate efficient network connectivity. See section for more detail.
[2] Note Option 4 extends the systemised airspace up to FL305, however this is not the preferred option.
Interactive Map (expand to select individual layers)
The LD1.1 airspace change proposal includes proposals to truncate SIDs at Bristol, Cardiff and Luton airports. These are described in the consultation document (Sections 10, 11 & 14). In support of this, below are slides showing the flight path profiles of departures for each of these airports/SIDs.
Bristol Departures
Cardiff Departures
Luton Departures
Why your views matter
We want to get your feedback on which Option would be best for LD1.1 (and this has a direct bearing on FRA D2). Specifically :
Option 4 - where the division between systemised airspace (routes) and FRA is FL305.
Option 6 - where the division between systemised airspace (routes) and FRA is FL245.
The changes proposed in this ACP will only affect flights above 7,000ft.
The consultation begins on 6th September 2021 and ends on 29th November 2021, a period of 12 weeks.
If the proposal is approved by the CAA, implementation of the airspace change will on or after 23rd March 2023.
What happens next
During consultation we gathered feedback from stakeholders and any interested parties.
Responses will then be analysed and themed. After the consultation finishes we will publish a consultation feedback document, which will summarise the themes and NATS’ response to any issues raised.
The feedback document will be available for download via the CAA portal. Any new requirements identified will be considered in the on-going design process. The ACP will detail the design being submitted and make reference to changes that have been made to take account of consultation feedback.
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