Business & GA

Infringements of UK controlled or restricted airspace, mainly by general aviation aircraft, have increased by about 35% during the last two years, according to the Civil Aviation Authority. At the same time, the CAA says, the demand to extend controlled airspace is rising - partly as a result of the increasing use of provincial airports by low cost carriers.

Speaking at a UK general aviation industry conference last week, the CAA said that reported airspace infringements appear to be increasing from a level of about one a day to nearly 1.5 a day. It admits, however, that the statistics may have been influenced by more rigorous monitoring and reporting by UK air navigation service provider NATS, which is running an awareness campaign in an attempt to reduce the risks posed by infringements. Most of the incidents involved incursion into Class D airspace - terminal zones or areas in the vicinity of major airports - and the proportion of total incidents in this category is increasing.

Meanwhile, the CAA is considering requests to extend restricted airspace in the vicinity of seven UK provincial airports and two terminal areas.