Briefing for Members of the House of Lords: Civil Aviation Bill, Airspace Modernisation and Community Protection
From: CAGNE — a non-political, not anti-aviation community and environmental group representing communities across Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
Purpose of this briefing
This briefing asks Members of the House of Lords to strengthen the Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill [HL] so that airspace modernisation is delivered with proper democratic accountability, independent oversight, environmental transparency and fair protection for communities on the ground. The Bill makes provision for airspace change and confers new rule-making powers on the Civil Aviation Authority. It also supports the Government’s policy of redesigning UK flight paths through the UK Airspace Design Service.
Executive summary
- The Bill risks strengthening the aviation regulator and delivery bodies without equivalent safeguards for residents affected by new or intensified flight paths.
- The current airspace change process, CAP1616, is overseen by the CAA from process design through approval and complaints, creating a perceived conflict and leaving communities without an independent route of redress.
- Airspace modernisation may not be completed until 2030–2035, but the statutory framework being debated now will determine whether residents retain meaningful rights to information, consultation, challenge and compensation.
- New Government-published evidence on aircraft noise shows that communities experience significant annoyance and sleep disturbance at lower noise levels than previously assumed.
- Peers should support amendments that create an independent ombudsman, preserve meaningful consultation, require transparent carbon information at point of flight ticket purchase, and establish aviation-funded compensation where residents are newly or more heavily overflown.
Full briefing
Download the full briefing (pdf) here:
https://cagne.org/wp-content/uploads/Briefing-for-Lords-re-CAA-Bill.pdf