Proposed arrival routes

The new proposed arrivals will use a hybrid system of Performance Based Navigation arrival routes and Air Traffic Control (ATC) vectoring. This means that we expect to see some concentration along the arrival route centrelines, but there will still also be some dispersion.

The arrival routes will allow aircraft to continue to join the Instrument Landing System when on final approach before landing; however, there will also be a Performance Based Navigation approach available which follows the same lateral and vertical path as the existing Instrument Landing System approach.

It is proposed that the arrivals Noise Abatement Procedures would remain broadly similar to those published today. More details around these can be found in our Main Consultation Document.

The Instrument Landing System (ILS) is used by aircraft once on final approach.
It is a system of radio beacons which provide the aircraft with horizontal and vertical guidance, so that they know their exact position just before and during landing, even in the poorest of visibility. The ILS relies on physical infrastructure which is located on the ground at the airport.