OUR PROPOSALS
Controlled Airspace
Controlled Airspace (CAS) is provided primarily for the safety of its users, mostly commercial airlines. Other airspace users, who typically fly for non-commercial purposes such as gliding, often fly outside CAS where they do not have to follow instructions from Air Traffic Control. Glasgow Airport is contained within CAS. Within this area, aircraft are required to follow instructions from Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Airspace modernisation aims to improve access to airspace. Part of Glasgow Airport’s Airspace Change Proposal is to review our Controlled Airspace structure, to ensure we are using the minimum volume of airspace necessary.
In determining the CAS requirements, there are several key Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) documents that all feed in to determining an appropriate volume of airspace. It is important to note the existing CAS arrangements surrounding Glasgow Airport pre-date many of these policy documents.
Proposals
In the UK, the guiding principle in establishing a volume of CAS is that sponsors (usually an airport or a provider of air navigation services) must seek to ensure that the amount of CAS is the minimum required to maintain a high standard of air safety and – subject to overriding national security or defence requirements – that the needs of all airspace users is reflected on an equitable basis. This has led to the adoption of the principle that the least restrictive classifications of airspace should be the norm in UK airspace design.
Glasgow Airport’s CAS proposal forms part of the wider proposal for Scottish Airspace Modernisation, undertaken between Glasgow Airport, Edinburgh Airport and NATS.
There is more information about CAS and Glasgow Airport’s proposed changes in the Main Consultation Document.
Illustrative example of CAS
Controlled Airspace: without the airspace change
CAS without airspace change. Chart source UK AIP AD 2.EGPF-4-1
Controlled Airspace: with the airspace change
CAS with airspace change. Map underlay sourced from existing AD 2.
EGPF-4-1 and overlaid with proposed future airspace.
Follow the link below to read our entire set of consultation material, including an easy-to-read Summary Document and the technical Full Options Appraisal on our Citizen Space website.
Alternatively, follow the link below to try our interactive tools.