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| UK air traffic controllers warn of over-crowded skies | UK air traffic controllers warn of over-crowded skies |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Air traffic controllers are warning that UK skies are running out of room amid a record number of flights. | |
| Friday is likely to be the busiest day of the year, with air traffic controllers expecting to handle more than 8,800 flights - a record number. | Friday is likely to be the busiest day of the year, with air traffic controllers expecting to handle more than 8,800 flights - a record number. |
| They have called for a drastic modernisation in the way aircraft are guided across UK airspace. | They have called for a drastic modernisation in the way aircraft are guided across UK airspace. |
| It comes as the government launches a discussion to shape the UK's aviation industry for the next 30 years. | It comes as the government launches a discussion to shape the UK's aviation industry for the next 30 years. |
| Air traffic controllers expect to manage a record 770,000 flights in UK airspace over the summer - 40,000 more than last year. | Air traffic controllers expect to manage a record 770,000 flights in UK airspace over the summer - 40,000 more than last year. |
| But the ability of the the UK's National Air Traffic Control Service (Nats) to deal with this surge is being stretched to the limit, it is claimed. | But the ability of the the UK's National Air Traffic Control Service (Nats) to deal with this surge is being stretched to the limit, it is claimed. |
| You may also like: | You may also like: |
| Nats director Jamie Hutchison said: "In the last few weeks we have already safely managed record-breaking daily traffic levels, but the ageing design of UK airspace means we will soon reach the limits of what can be managed without delays rising significantly." | Nats director Jamie Hutchison said: "In the last few weeks we have already safely managed record-breaking daily traffic levels, but the ageing design of UK airspace means we will soon reach the limits of what can be managed without delays rising significantly." |
| The Department for Transport estimates that, if airspace management remains unchanged, there will be 3,100 days' worth of flight delays by 2030 - that is 50 times the amount seen in 2015 - along with 8,000 flight cancellations a year. | The Department for Transport estimates that, if airspace management remains unchanged, there will be 3,100 days' worth of flight delays by 2030 - that is 50 times the amount seen in 2015 - along with 8,000 flight cancellations a year. |
| The government wants the public to submit ideas on a wide range of subjects, from airport bag check-ins in town centres to noise reduction targets. | The government wants the public to submit ideas on a wide range of subjects, from airport bag check-ins in town centres to noise reduction targets. |
| The six themes it will consult on over the coming months are: | The six themes it will consult on over the coming months are: |
| Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "Our new aviation strategy will look beyond the new runway at Heathrow and sets out a comprehensive long-term plan for UK aviation. | Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "Our new aviation strategy will look beyond the new runway at Heathrow and sets out a comprehensive long-term plan for UK aviation. |
| "It will support jobs and economic growth across the whole of the UK. | "It will support jobs and economic growth across the whole of the UK. |
| "Our vision puts the passenger at the heart of what we do, but also recognises the need to address the impacts of aviation on communities and the environment." | "Our vision puts the passenger at the heart of what we do, but also recognises the need to address the impacts of aviation on communities and the environment." |
| Meanwhile, airport capacity is expanding way beyond Heathrow's new runway. | Meanwhile, airport capacity is expanding way beyond Heathrow's new runway. |
| Friday also marks the start of a £1bn investment programme to double the size of Manchester Airport's Terminal 2. | Friday also marks the start of a £1bn investment programme to double the size of Manchester Airport's Terminal 2. |
| The number of planes taking off and landing at Stansted has gone up every month for almost four years. | The number of planes taking off and landing at Stansted has gone up every month for almost four years. |
| Cardiff Airport has seen an 11% rise in traffic, and Luton is recording growth of 7% this year alone. | Cardiff Airport has seen an 11% rise in traffic, and Luton is recording growth of 7% this year alone. |
| The problem of volume has been complicated by shifts in travel patterns. | The problem of volume has been complicated by shifts in travel patterns. |
| Destinations including Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia have lost out to Spain, Italy and the US, which means major changes in the flows of traffic into UK airspace. | Destinations including Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia have lost out to Spain, Italy and the US, which means major changes in the flows of traffic into UK airspace. |
| Nats itself is rolling out a new £600m ($747m) computer system known as iTec that could result in more flights and fewer delays. | Nats itself is rolling out a new £600m ($747m) computer system known as iTec that could result in more flights and fewer delays. |
| But Juliet Kennedy, Nats operations director, said: "What is needed is a clear and stable UK policy that recognises how important our airspace is as a critical part of our national infrastructure. | But Juliet Kennedy, Nats operations director, said: "What is needed is a clear and stable UK policy that recognises how important our airspace is as a critical part of our national infrastructure. |
| "It is essential that we are able to balance the needs of airspace users with the environment and, of course, with the communities who experience aircraft noise." | "It is essential that we are able to balance the needs of airspace users with the environment and, of course, with the communities who experience aircraft noise." |