The UK’s leading air traffic control service has revealed it is preparing for the busiest day ever in the skies above the UK as it expects to handle a record-breaking 8,800 flights in and out of the country today.
National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has also revealed that Glasgow Airport has seen a 3.5 per cent increase of passengers since last summer.
This, says NATS, proves that modernisation is “essential” in order to provide the capacity needed for the levels of traffic expected over the next decade.
On the whole, 2017 is forecast to be the busiest summer ever with NATS handling a staggering 770,000 flights, up fiver per cent on last year.
Forecast shows that air traffic will continue to grow from 2.5 million flights in 2017 to 3.1 million in 2030.
The figures come on the day NATS warns airspace modernisation is “vital” after the Department for Transport forecasted 50 times more delays by 2030 with 8,000 cancellations per year.
Manchester Airport has already reported its busiest May on record and its 38th consecutive month of passenger growth.
Cardiff Airport, meanwhile, has seen an almost 11 per cent rise in traffic, and Luton is recording growth of seven per cent, but air traffic chiefs are warning the skies are now nearing full capacity.
Jamie Hutchison, director at NATS’ Swanwick air traffic control centre - which handles traffic over England and Wales - said: “There is a lot of planning that goes into the summertime which is our busiest period of the year for obvious reasons.
“That planning starts months in advance working closely with our airports and airline customers and partners.
“We make sure we have the right plans in place to deliver the best possible service to the public.”
NATS is currently spending in excess of £600 million on new technology to help boost capacity, but argues that investment must be complemented by improvements to the UK’s network of flight paths and air routes, changes that will require government support.
NATS is, therefore, calling on the UK Government to show support for modernisation in order to provide the capacity needed for the levels of traffic expected over the next ten years.
Earlier this year, the Government consulted on plans to update airspace change policy and is now reviewing the feedback.
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