Airspace changes in Southern UK

[Jeff]

Didn't know where to put this, here seemed a good place as it involves OTT


23/03/23. Today, at 0001Z, one of the greatest changes in the airspace known as the London FIR became operational. The UK Airways system was introduced mainly on 01/08/1950, and the first airway was Green One, running west from London towards South Wales and Southern Ireland. Over the years, the airspace and route structure has expanded beyond all recognition, but still doesn't provide the optimum flexiblity for direct routings, with their advantages of fuel, time and CO2 savings. At 0001Z this morning, the southwest section of London 'Free Route Airspace' (FRA) was introduced, above FL245. This replaces the Upper ATS Route structure, and in conjuction with the simultaneous 'systemisation' of the airspace below, (7,000'Alt-FL245), should provide cost savings, simplification and increase capacity in the are shown on the charts. Around 600 people were involved in the planning, testing, training and execution of this project, and this FRA/Lower Airspace Systemisation, will eventually cover the rest of the London FIR. Changes in ATC always take place on a Thursday, so I have included an extract ofthe NATS/CAA Upper ATS Charts for yesterday and today. More information can be found on the NATS website/Blog/FB pages, and in the NATS AIP, freely avaiable online. As with most major changes, a flow rate of 80% of normal traffic has been imposed while ATC 'get used' to the new procedures.

It doesn't say which photo is before and after I'm afraid

[foxfire]

It seems the second of those charts is the latest version, according to this document from NATS, as it's the only one that's shown. 

[michael]

Confirm the top is old one with the 2nd the new airspace...In laymans(not being derogatry) terms the pink/red routes are showing the link routes for dep/inbound from the "free file"

W-E LTMA out and inbound EGFF/EGGD/EGVN etc plus routes to Cork
N-S Are routes from and to EGCC, EGGP

The airspace above FL260 (base levels vary) is free file for Oceanic flights coming from and to Europe can file direct once they pass "the west of the M25" so no longer file airways like UL607 or other well known names,on routes direct to UK FIR Boundary then to their Oceanic entry points.
Ironically for the the flight planning team at Swanwick Flight Panning team they actually have to input from a serious of over 300 Five letter reporting points,if you think of Countdown and Rachel Reilly(no not that way !!) putting up sequences off constanant and vowels, or the letter in a word puzzle book when you buy it.

ie They are not words FIGZI,ARPAK,AZCAL,AXCIS,FIFAH,WEVBE and ELREW just as examples..

If Danger areas ar active the Airline Ops wile have to use a different sequence of 5 letter position to give best direct rout

There will be a more rigourous FILE it FLY it so airlines like Ryanair "Any chance of a more direct" if their ops didn't in the first place will have more of a problem at long last.

This is a very simplified explanation and at present means traffic is at 80% max during the initial periods to allow ATC to get used to it.
SORRY if it sounded like treaty everyone as idiots in the basic explanation.

This is also trying to mave from the 1950's ATC computor system that the UK stil has as its framework,but will not last forever so needs replacement as it has had its life extended past its lifecycle.

[chrisj]

Thanks for the update . This change may explain why , in the SW , we have been getting lots of TAP flights coming over Lands End , also many transatlantic flights coming overhead . OR , the French are playing up again ! Chrisj