Summary
All clusters that are subject to coordination by the UKACS will now transition to the requirements and guidance of CAP 3220 (as well as the guidance of CAP 3219). NERL’s Airspace Change Organising Group is superseded by its UKACS. The former requirement that NERL create a UK airspace change masterplan was withdrawn, as of May 2026. NERL (as the UKACS provider) and relevant airport sponsors in the clusters will work together to:
- monitor the need for coordinating any existing or new strategically important airspace change proposals
- complete Cumulative Assessments
- complete the overall Safety Strategy Outputs Assessment
There is no longer a requirement to start or complete:
- a masterplan Public Engagement Exercise (PEX)
- masterplan iterations
- a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) or Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) of a masterplan (although individual airspace changes will continue to undertake HRAs)
Transition arrangements
The CAA accepted masterplan Iteration 2 (covering the whole of the UK) into the Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS) in 2022. Airspace change decisions are made in accordance with the AMS. The strategically important interdependent airspace changes that Iteration 2 of the masterplan identified as requiring coordination are being progressed either as part of the London TMA airspace change sponsored by NERL (as the UKADS provider) or continued as clusters coordinated by NERL as the UKACS provider. As set out in paragraphs 2.6 and 2.7 of CAP 3220, NERL will monitor the ongoing need for strategically important interdependent airspace change proposals in the UK, providing advice to the CAA and the Department for Transport on the number, location and membership of all clusters. Any decisions to amend the clusters will be published on our website.
The CAA accepted Iteration 3 of the masterplan for Scotland into the AMS in September 2025. Iteration 3 of the masterplan for Scotland was published alongside the launch of the constituent airspace change proposal public consultations. Iteration 3 explains the trade-offs that have been proposed that sit behind the proposed designs, which have been the subject of consultations by the relevant sponsors. Although no Iteration 4 of the masterplan will be produced, the information in Iteration 3 remains relevant to understand the individual consultations.
No further iterations of the masterplan will be produced.
Chronology of the UKACS development
2026
May
Changes to NERL’s licence have come into effect. As a result, UKACS is currently coordinating those airports and NERL airspace changes in the West (Bristol), Manchester (Manchester, Liverpool, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford) and Scottish (Edinburgh, Glasgow) clusters.
March
The outcome of the CAA’s autumn consultations in relation to the UKACS was published.