In the context of clusters of nationally strategically important interdependent changes co-ordinated by the UKACS, trade-offs are needed whenever there is a choice between airspace designs that each create a different mix of positive and negative impacts. The term ‘trade-off’ is typically used to refer to the positive impacts generated by a particular option which are lost when another option is selected instead.
A trade-off may be necessary to resolve a conflict arising between:
- two or more sponsors of interdependent airspace changes (for example, where they want to make use of the same volume of airspace); or
- two or more objectives for airspace design (for example, achieving noise reduction and securing the most efficient use of airspace).
The CAA has previously published CAP3042 Airspace Change: Masterplan trade-off procedure about airspace design trade-offs for sponsors of airspace change proposals that form part of the airspace change masterplan.
This document will be reviewed and updated in due course to reflect proposed revised Air Navigation Directions, proposed revised statutory guidance in the Air Navigation Guidance, the revised requirement on NERL as the UKACS provider and the proposed revised Airspace Change Process (CAP 1616).