Final two weeks to share views on airspace change in Scotland

  • Public and aviation stakeholders are urged to share their views via the consultation
  • Proposed changes will improve operational efficiency of Scottish airspace
  • Consultation has received over X responses to date

The Scottish Airspace Modernisation consultation has entered its final two weeks. Community and aviation stakeholders have until 23:59hrs on 25 January 2026 to share their views on proposed changes to Scotland’s airspace.

Since launching on 20 October 2025, the consultation has received over 1300 responses. Edinburgh Airport, Glasgow Airport and NATS have jointly hosted over 40 events, including public open sessions across Scotland and online webinar sessions for public and aviation stakeholders.

Led jointly by NATS, Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow Airport, the proposals aim to deliver a modern, structured airspace system for Scotland as part of the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Airspace Modernisation Strategy. This nationwide programme will harness new technologies to enable quicker, quieter and cleaner flights while maintaining the UK’s high safety standards.

More direct routes will enable reductions of up to 30 minutes of flying time each day, saving fuel and enabling route mileage reductions equivalent to 3.5 trips around the world annually. These proposals are expected to enable an annual saving of 18,000 tonnes of CO₂e – equivalent to that produced powering over 5,000 UK homes. Benefits also include a reduction in airborne delay, with 6% fewer aircraft needing to hold before landing, equating to over 7,000 flights a year. Where holding patterns remain necessary, many will be raised to lessen noise impact and keep aircraft at higher altitudes – where they operate more efficiently – for longer.

Once the consultation closes, NATS, Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow Airport will review all feedback received, identify themes which could impact the proposals, and undertake comprehensive analysis, including potential refinements to the design of each Airspace Change Proposal (ACP).

Visit the sites linked below for more details and to share your views: