Airspace Consultation

October 17, 2013

The public is getting a chance to find out more and ask questions about plans to reintroduce controlled airspace at London Southend Airport.

The airport’s Airspace Development Team is holding two Controlled Airspace Information Sessions – these are taking place on Thursday 7 November (1pm-5pm) and Friday 8 November (4pm-8pm).

The sessions are open to anyone who wants to attend and will be held in the old terminal building at London Southend Airport. Members of the team will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about plans to reintroduce controlled airspace.

Airspace users and local community groups are currently being consulted about plans to reintroduce controlled airspace at London Southend Airport.

The process - which includes borough, local and parish councils - started on 20 September 2013 and will last for 12 weeks, completing on 19 December 2013.

London Southend Airport is making this application in order to further safeguard aircraft on approach to and departure from the airport and minimise distance flown to reduce environmental impacts.

The Airport had Controlled Airspace until 1993, when it was removed following a reduction in scheduled services using the airport. Temporary Controlled Airspace was also in operation at the airport in summer 2012 during the London Olympic Games.

Controlled Airspace is a defined area of the airspace around an airport where any aircraft must communicate with Air Traffic Control. The application to introduce controlled airspace was one of the commitments the airport made to local councils and community groups as part of the airport’s redevelopment. 

It is envisaged the entire application process – which started in August 2012 - will take around two years to complete.

The consultation document can be viewed at www.southendairport.com/news/controlled-airspace