Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport: Air Routes
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with the Civil Aviation Authority and airport operators regarding the coordination of flight paths from Heathrow and Gatwick during easterly operations; if she will consider (a) guidance and (b) regulatory changes to prevent communities from being simultaneously overflown by high volumes of aircraft from both airports; and when an update will be published on the consultation concerning Gatwick’s Route 4 departure procedures.
Answered by Keir Mather
The department and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have set up the new UK Airspace Design Service to take forward the airspace change proposals for the complex London airspace, including for Heathrow and Gatwick airports. It will deliver interdependent airspace changes in a joined-up way, supporting both the airports and communities.
Responses to the Gatwick Airport’s Route 4 departure procedures consultation are being analysed by Gatwick Airport. Following any updates to their airspace change proposal Gatwick Airport will submit their final airspace design proposal to the CAA in August 2027 for assessment.
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