Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace

NATS releases annual Aviation Index survey

The UK air traffic management service, NATS, has released the seventh edition of its annual Aviation Index survey of the UK public.



Image courtesy NATS

Each year NATS works with the research agency, Ipsos to produce an in-depth look at people’s attitudes to flying and the aviation industry.

The Index explores a range of topics, including how often people expect to fly and the impact climate change is having on their behaviour and decision making, as well as attitudes to airspace modernisation and use of the latest technology, including digital towers and electric air taxis or eVTOLs.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Now in its seventh year, the Aviation Index has consistently tracked changes in public attitudes and perceptions around some key issues impacting the industry, as well as the seismic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK travel and its subsequent recovery.

This year’s Aviation Index findings reveal:

  • Half of the UK public has flown within the last 12 months (50%), the highest proportion since Covid, but still below the 60% recorded in 2019.
  • The cost of living is the biggest barrier for people expecting to cut back on flying next year, with 42% citing expense as a reason.
  • Reducing carbon emissions is the public’s top priority for the industry (53%), but is down on previous highs (70% in 2020).
  • Mixed messages around people’s willingness to change their own behaviour and those already taking concrete action to help reduce the environmental impact of flights in the UK.
  • There is support for changes to flight paths as part of airspace modernisation efforts (42%), especially when focusing on environmental benefits. 19% of those surveyed would oppose changes if aircraft noise impacted new residential areas.  
  • When asked about ‘flying taxis’, 54% of people said they would not use them, citing perceived safety (50%) and cost (56%) issues.
  • A majority of the public support the use of drones for the emergency services (76%), infrastructure inspection (71%) and for deliveries (56%).
Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

Simon Warr, NATS Communications Director, said: “Every year, we partner with the research experts at Ipsos to gauge the views of the UK public with the aim of capturing the changing trends in public opinion. We now have seven years of valuable data, all of which we share freely with the rest of the industry in the hope it will help inform decision making and identify risks and opportunities.”

A summary of the findings is available on the NATS website at nats.aero/aviation-index-2024 along with the full, tabulated results.

Lars Wagner to become CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft

Aerospace

Lars Wagner to become CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft

10 July 2025

Lars Wagner, currently Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTU Aero Engines AG, based in Munich, will join the Airbus Executive Committee and succeed Christian Scherer as CEO of the Commercial Aircraft business, effective 1st January 2026.

Avelia to transform into multiple SAF supplier solution

Aerospace

Avelia to transform into multiple SAF supplier solution

10 July 2025

One of the largest suppliers of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), Shell Aviation, along with Accenture and American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), has announced today that Avelia is in the process of evolving into an industry solution with independent data hosting and a multisupplier model helping users access the greenhouse gas (GHG) ...

AI firms collaborate with Heathrow to enhance operations

Aerospace

AI firms collaborate with Heathrow to enhance operations

9 July 2025

Heathrow is harnessing advanced technology to make aircraft ground operations faster, smarter and more seamless across 116 gates at Terminals Two, Three and Five, as part of a strategic collaboration with IAG and Assaia.

Viasat test boosts business jet in-flight connectivity

Aerospace

Viasat test boosts business jet in-flight connectivity

8 July 2025

Viasat today announced a milestone for its JetXP business aviation in-flight broadband service, following recent test flights that successfully connected the Global Aero Terminal (GAT) 5510 to a ViaSat-3 satellite for the first time.

Advertisement
ODU RT
ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 advances student innovation

Aerospace

ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 advances student innovation

8 July 2025

Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced major student and faculty achievements resulting from the use of ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 Flight Simulator, which provides hands-on experience in aircraft design and performance evaluation, directly contributing to a growing body of student-led research and academic ...

Birmingham Airport sees busiest ever June

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport sees busiest ever June

8 July 2025

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has had its busiest June ever, with a record 1,360,957 passengers travelling through the airport last month.

Advertisement
Teledyne