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Revised CAP1616 airspace change process |
From the CAA:
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has today published its revised CAP1616 airspace change process. The package of improvements makes the airspace change process easier to understand and clarifies the requirements needed to be met to progress an airspace change proposal.
Our improvements focus on simplification, clarification, and proportionality. The way the UK Civil Aviation Authority makes airspace decisions is not changing, with the revised airspace change process and improved guidance clearly defining the requirements.
This makes it simpler for change sponsors and stakeholders to better understand what they need to do in the process, and the engagement airspace change sponsors have with stakeholders should be more focussed and meaningful.
We have also made it clear how the requirements can be applied proportionately and tailored to each proposal put forward.
The revised process takes into consideration feedback and insights from stakeholders affected by airspace change. We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to give us feedback.
The revised documents can be found on the UK Civil Aviation Authority website. Further associated guidance will be published in due course.
Transition arrangements
This airspace change process (CAP1616, version 5) will come into force on 2 January 2024.
Any airspace change proposals commenced on or after that date will be assessed against the requirements of the process as described in this document. All change sponsors with airspace change proposals in process under CAP1616 (i.e., where an assessment meeting has already taken place) and in Stages 1-4, will be informed of the requirements that apply to their submissions and this will be published on the portal.
We aim to inform all change sponsors of such requirements by 30 November 2023. Airspace change proposals in Stages 5-6 will continue as planned and will not be affected by the publication of CAP1616, version 5.
You can read our full statement on transition arrangements on our website.
Date for the diary – CAP1616 webinar
We are holding a webinar for stakeholders to attend, where we will talk through the revised process and be on hand to answer any questions you may have. This is taking place on Tuesday 28 November.
We will share more information and registration details in the coming weeks.
The webinar will be recorded and available on our website for those unable to attend.
Training
We are in the early stages of developing a two-day course on the airspace change process to help stakeholders gain a deeper understanding of the airspace change process and why it exists.
It will provide an overview of the regulatory process and the related legislative framework, to outline process requirements for changing the notified airspace design and to explain how the CAA applies those when assessing airspace change proposals (ACPs). It will be designed for aviation organisations sponsoring and/or developing airspace change proposals (including their consultants) and for new airspace regulators. This course is a foundation and pre-requisite for a more detailed and specific training.
We would be keen to hear from you as to whether this would be of interest, what you would like to see included or what objectives you may wish the course to achieve, and whether you would still attend this training if it was needed to be paid for. Please reply to
Once again, we’d like to thank everyone who gave feedback over the review period.
Airspace Regulation team
UK Civil Aviation Authority