UK air traffic services body NATS has announced what it says is "one of the biggest airspace modernisation changes has been implemented over Wales and south-west England" with the deployment on March 23 of systemisation and free route airspace.
The system's range takes in some of the UK's busiest international flight routes, according to NATS, and includes nine airspace change projects from over the past two years. Aviation minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton said the move would help "save emissions and take us a step further towards Jet Zero".
The changes affect aircraft flying between 7,000 feel and 24,500 feet and require the deployment of satellite technology on modern aircraft, allowing them to fly on precise flight paths from take off until they reach the higher-level network.
NATS said the effect on airlines and airports would be "greater predictability for their operations while the potential for delay will be reduced".
“This section of airspace supports over 1000 flights a day, so these changes will help the wider aviation industry deliver on their environmental commitments.," said Juliet Kennedy, operations director at NATS.