“We have an analogue airspace in a digital age designed nearer a time Yuri Gagarin reached for the stars. The moment for change is now.”
The UK airspace infrastructure, originally developed in the 1950s, has become outdated as the industry’s challenges, technological needs, and goals have evolved significantly. Combatting this, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched its plan for modernising UK airspace by 2040.
The ‘Airspace Modernisation Strategy, Part 3: Deployment Plan’ sets out a vision for how airspace will change over the coming seven years and serves as a benchmark for measuring the industry’s progress and alignment with the UK CAA’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy. Released in January 2023, the strategy laid out “a vision for the future of UK airspace to deliver quicker, quieter and cleaner journeys.”
With tech evolving rapidly, the industry scaling up, emerging players like drones and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft joining, and sustainability targets looming, the UK CAA is laying the foundations for an extensive overhaul of the UK’s aviation infrastructure. Addressing this ongoing transformation, Aviation Minister Mike Kane said:
“The world of aviation is undergoing a technological revolution and it’s crucial our airspace evolves alongside this. The Civil Aviation Authority’s plan to modernise our airspace will help ease delays, support efforts to decarbonise and reduce noise. Through continued collaboration with industry, this plan will ensure these innovations are safely and effectively integrated into our skies.”
Rob Bishton, Chief Executive of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, added:
“Overhauling our airspace is a long-term and complex endeavour, requiring concerted efforts and collaboration from the aerospace industry. It is key to enabling new and innovative technologies to thrive in UK aerospace. […] It not only outlines our strategic priorities, but also is a blueprint for industry to engage and contribute towards the vision of a modernised airspace for the UK.”
Described as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to modernise UK airspace, the plan must pave a way for a more efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced future.
This week, The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) published a press release sharing details of its support for the scale up of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through the EU SAF Clearing House.
The initiative will facilitate the deployment and approval of SAF, stating its mission as “remov[ing] as many barriers as possible to support the EU & International deployment of SAFs as well as the approval of new SAF pathways.”
Acknowledging the key role SAF will play in the industry’s decarbonisation, this “one-stop-shop” offers a centralised support system for fuel producers and original equipment manufacturers, giving assistance with the ASTM D4054 standard evaluation process. The Screening House will offer pre-screening, technical advice and testing support, provide testing capabilities, give advice on sustainability and likelihood of meeting market entry requirements, and facilitate international coordination.
Maria Rueda, Strategy & Safety Management Director, EASA said:
“The demand for SAF will grow ever more to meet the goals set in the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation and increasingly reduce the emissions from aviation. Via the EU SAF Clearing House, EASA wants to ensure that the fuel industry gets the support needed to succeed in developing SAF for aviation, so that their innovation efforts are not in vain and more SAF is brought to the market.”
This project is funded by the European Union and managed by EASA.
In March, IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh joined for a 5-minute conversation touching on the alarming disparity between the US and European levels of SAF production, and the role governments must play in stimulating its scale up. In particular, Walsh condemned fuel suppliers saying:
“Traditional fuel suppliers who have made hundreds of billions in profit off the industry over the years need to significantly accelerate their investment in the production of SAF […] They’re part of the problem, they’ve got to be part of the solution.”
EUROCAE, the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment, plays a pivotal role in advancing the aviation industry through its range of standards. The non-profit organisation brings together manufacturers, operators, regulators, and other aviation stakeholders to develop and promote standards for aviation equipment and related systems.
In this brief interview, Anna von Groote, Director General explains EUROCAE’s critical role in driving aviation standards, unpacking how the organisation takes a collaborative and proactive approach to emerging challenges including the safe integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
At Aerospace Tech Week, 17-18th April, MOC – Event Center Messe Munchen, Munich, Anna von Groote will be speaking on the importance of standardisation in AI for aviation safety and efficiency. Book your ticket here.
Watch the full interview below to hear EUROCAE’s Director General speak on the following:
Can you explain how EUROCAE helps with driving the standard for aviation?
How does EUROCAE address emerging challenges and technologies in the sector?
With AI set to change the future of the industry, how are you approaching the subject and why is it so important to standardize?
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