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Free Route Airspace 
deployed in 2021

Continuing our drive 

to modernise UK airspace

The UK’s airspace is some of the most complex in the world, with its design dating back to the 1950s for aircraft which have long since stopped flying. NATS is working with airports on a major nationwide Government policy to modernise airspace and make flying in the UK more efficient.

Edinburgh

Glasgow

Leeds Bradford

East Midlands

Liverpool

Manchester

Bristol

Exeter

Systemisation and Free Route Airspace deployed in 2023.

RAF Northolt

Stansted

Heathrow

Luton

Southampton

Southend

Bournemouth

London City

Biggin Hill

Gatwick

Farnborough

Airspace modernisation will deliver 
a range of benefits:

Quicker

Quieter

NATS is responsible for deploying Free Route Airspace (FRA) in the high level network, allowing aircraft to fly a fully optimised flight path based on factors like weather and windspeed, which improves efficiency and reduces flight time, fuel burn and emissions.

We have already introduced FRA in Scotland in December 2021 and the West of England in 2023. These incredibly complex projects set the template that high-level airspace across the UK will follow.

Free Route Airspace

24,500ft

7,000ft

0ft

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Edinburgh

Glasgow

Exeter

Bristol

Systemisation and Free Route Airspace deployed in 2023.

Leeds Bradford

East Midlands

Liverpool

Manchester

Heathrow

Southampton

Bournemouth

Farnborough

Gatwick

Biggin Hill

London City

Southend

Luton

Stansted

RAF Northolt

Free Route Airspace 
deployed in 2021

Continuing our drive 

The UK’s airspace is some of the most complex in the world, with its design dating back to the 1950s for aircraft which have long since stopped flying. NATS is working with airports on a major nationwide Government policy to modernise airspace and make flying in the UK more efficient.

7,000ft

24,500ft

0ft

Systemised Airspace

Free Route Airspace

Airport Airspace Change Proposals

NATS is responsible for deploying Free Route Airspace (FRA) in the high level network, allowing aircraft to fly a fully optimised flight path based on factors like weather and windspeed, which improves efficiency and reduces flight time, fuel burn and emissions.

We have already introduced FRA in Scotland in December 2021 and the West of England in 2023. These incredibly complex projects set the template that high-level airspace across the UK will follow.

Quicker

Quieter

Airspace modernisation will deliver 
a range of benefits:

Hover the        to reveal