CAA publishes NERL final proposals
Image courtesy CAA
This consultation takes account of stakeholder responses to the June 2025 Initial Proposals consultation and details the:
- regulatory arrangements necessary to require NERL to create a UK Airspace Design Service, UK Airspace Coordination Service and administer an Airspace Design Support Fund
- creation of an Airspace Design Charge so that NERL can recover the associated costs of these activities
- modifications the CAA propose to make to NERL’s economic licence
Alongside these proposals the CAA have also published a supporting cost model (CAP 3164A) that provides cost projections and calculates charging outputs referenced in the consultation.
This consultation will close on 20th January 2026: email responses to economicregulation@caa.co.uk.
Alongside related autumn 2025 consultations it forms part of the CAA commitment to both establish the UK Airspace Design Service and consult on improvements to the effectiveness and proportionality of the UK’s airspace change process.
Consultations on draft guidance for the UK Airspace Design and Coordination Services (CAP 3158) and requirements for a UK Airspace Coordination Service and associated guidance (CAP 3159) will close on 12th January 2026.
The CAA's separate consultation on the airspace change process (CAP 1616) is open until 18th December 2025.
More information, including the CAA's background document Modernising the way we do airspace design (CAP 3156), which supports these consultations, is available on its website.
