Modernising Midlands Airspace

Overview

This airspace change proposal is a step towards systemising UK airspace between the London TMA (LTMA) and the Manchester TMA (MTMA), which is referred to as ‘Midlands Airspace’.

The existing airspace has not been designed to modern standards and still has routes based on ground based navigational infrastructure which leads to significant controller intervention​.

Systemisation provides routings which are separated by design, which will reduce the need for tactical intervention from controllers, allowing aircraft to follow their planned routes and optimise their profiles for time and fuel savings.

In current operations, Midlands Airspace is a complex region with a high volume of arrival and departure traffic flowing to and from the TMAs, and a substantial number of crossing flights. The capacity of this airspace is restricted by the high level of controller workload, which is driven by high levels of tactical intervention to maintain safety.

In alignment with the UK Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS), the changes proposed in this ACP seek to optimise the Midlands route network, reducing complexity, enhancing route capacity, and providing environmental efficiencies where possible.

This ACP represents a significant change to modernise this region of airspace and aligns with future modernisation initiatives for the MTMA and the LTMA which are being carried out under separate ACPs; this will be an enabling change for both the MTMA and LTMA ACPs.

Why your views matter

Without providing systemised airspace within this central region of the country, we are limited in our ability to modernise airspace both to the north and the south; once the proposed change for Midlands Airspace is deployed, it will form the foundation to enable future modernisation in the MTMA and LTMA.​

Without airspace systemisation, complexity in UK airspace will continue to increase due to forecast traffic demand, which could result in more delay​.

The changes proposed in this ACP will only change flight paths at/above 7,000ft and we are seeking feedback from any stakeholders who feel they may be affected. Primarily, we expect this will be aviation stakeholders, including users of the airspace. Nonetheless, we welcome feedback from any interested parties.

The consultation begins on 26th October and ends on 20th December 2026, a period of 8 weeks.

You can view and download the full consultation document below and submit your response using the questionnaire linked at the bottom of this page.

Consultation Material  (please download)

Your feedback will be sent to the CAA and all responses will be published after moderation.