NATS publishes 2025 Aviation Index
Image courtesy NATS
The results show that while environmental issues remain important, 63% of respondents rank punctual arrivals and departures as their leading priority for the industry, ahead of reducing emissions (56%).
Commissioned by NATS and conducted by Ipsos UK, the 2025 Index captures a detailed picture of public sentiment on air travel, sustainability, and innovation. The findings show that people continue to recognise aviation as important to the UK’s economy.
However, there is a growing expectation that the industry should focus on actions to improve performance and enhance reliability.
Over the past 12 months, NATS has been working closely with industry partners to enhance punctuality and resilience, drawing on tools such as Intelligent Approach, which supports optimised aircraft spacing on arrival. These technologies help airlines and airports respond to the very issues passengers care most about, including reduced delays and greater operational predictability, as well as reducing overall carbon emissions. In June 2025, NATS safely managed 237,215 flights—up 2.5% from June 2024—and contributed just 1.2% of total European en-route delays, despite handling nearly a quarter of European Air Traffic.
Alongside performance, sustainability remains front of mind. Over half (56%) of those surveyed believe reducing emissions should be a priority, although only 4% believe individual travellers bear primary responsibility. Instead, the public is looking to government (30%), airlines (26%), and industry bodies such as NATS and the CAA (23%) to lead meaningful climate action.
The report also shows travel habits have stabilised. In the past 12 months, 52% of UK adults reported flying internationally, while 32% flew domestically. These figures offer a more detailed view of flying habits than previous years—where, in 2024, 50% of the public had flown either domestically or internationally within the prior 12 months. One in four (26%) expect to fly more in the year ahead, particularly among younger adults and ethnic minorities. The cost of flying remains a key factor in travel decisions, cited by 89% of respondents.
Awareness of airspace modernisation continues to grow from 15% in 2024 saying they have heard and know at least a little about modernisation plans to 24% this year. Support for changing flight paths (after outlining some of the advantages and disadvantages) has also increased reaching 52%, up from 42% last year. The majority (69%) agree that expanding UK airport capacity depends on upgrading the nation’s airspace infrastructure.
There is also growing acceptance in aviation innovation, including drones, flying taxis, and AI-enabled services. While the public see safety and human oversight as non-negotiables, there is an acceptance of automation where it enhances outcomes - for example, 68% support AI for baggage screening and 50% for managing flight routing.
“The 2025 Aviation Index highlights the public’s clear priorities: reliable service, greater environmental performance, and smart use of innovation,” said Simon Warr, NATS’ Communications Director. “As the aviation industry continues to modernise, aligning with these expectations will be key to maintaining public trust and delivering the benefits aviation brings to society.”
Download the full NATS Aviation Index 2025 here.
