ACOG releases 2023/24 Annual Report

Today ACOG has released its 2023/24 Annual Report, highlighting progress on the national programme of airspace change, as air traffic returned to pre-pandemic levels for the first time.

This year saw continued advancement of the Airspace Masterplan for each of the four regional clusters, including:

1. Significant progress in the Scottish cluster with the first application of the Cumulative Analysis Framework (CAF) to identify design conflicts, air traffic control simulations of the revised design to validate proposed routes, and conducting a Public Engagement Exercise.
2. Working closely with NATS to agree an end-to-end process for the implementation of the London and South East cluster in phased deployments and conducting a Public Engagement Exercise for one of those deployments – known as London Airspace South.
3. Both Manchester and Liverpool passing the CAA’s Stage 2 Gateway, with the overall Manchester cluster progressing to a point where an air traffic control simulation could be delivered.
4. Working with the West cluster, to agree a revised development following the withdrawal of Cardiff Airport from the Programme.

Progress was also achieved in a number of other key areas, including:

5. A comprehensive review of the Programme’s governance was undertaken which led to closer collaboration with the co-sponsors.
6. Creation of the ACOG Benefit Strategy that lays out the approach to measuring the impacts (both positive and negative) of Masterplan-related airspace changes at a cluster and national level.
7. Continued engagement with relevant MPs and communication with the general public through both focus groups and online channels.

The report looks ahead to the next year, as the first cluster of airports move into the next important phase of the airspace change process and publicly consult on their proposals.

Download the ACOG 2023/24 Annual Report here.