This White Paper sets out a strategic policy framework for the development of airport capacity in the UK over the next 30 years. Chapters focus on the following: the strategic framework; the environmental impacts; the air transport sector. It also looks at individual regions and the impact for them, including: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, also the North of England, the Midlands, the South West and finally the South East. The framework itself can be used by public bodies, air operators and airlines for future planning applications. It also sets out the Government and devolved administrations' conclusions on the case for future airport expansion, taking into account the large consultation exercise of over half million respondents. This paper provides reasons why airport capacity should be expanded, but recommends a balanced approach to the issue. Among the reasons are: the economic importance of air travel for the country’s economy and the increased desire amongst the population for foreign travel, which should be balanced against minimizing, where possible the environmental effects to an area where airports are situated. These are some of the main cases for future development following a full environmental assessment: for Scotland: an additional runway at Edinburgh Airport; substantial terminal development at Glasgow Airport. For Wales: further terminal development needed at Cardiff airport. For Northern Ireland: development of increased capacity at Belfast. For the North of England: additional terminal capacity provided at Manchester Airport and development of increased capacity at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. For the Midlands: additional runway for Birmingham. For South West England: expansion of Bristol Airport. For South East England: a new runway at Stansted; further development of Heathrow supported, including a further runway and additional terminal capacity. Some options though are not to be followed through, including: two new runways at Gatwick, a development of a second runway at Luton, and a new airport at Cliffe, a new airport of central Scotland, and a new airport at Rugby.

Automation in air traffic control may increase efficiency, but it also raises questions about adequate human control over automated systems. Following on the panel's first volume on air traffic control automation, Flight to the Future (NRC, 1997), this book focuses on the interaction of pilots and air traffic controllers, with a growing network of automated functions in the airspace system. The panel offers recommendations for development of human-centered automation, addressing key areas such as providing levels of automation that are appropriate to levels of risk, examining procedures for recovery from emergencies, free flight versus ground-based authority, and more. The book explores ways in which technology can build on human strengths and compensate for human vulnerabilities, minimizing both mistrust of automation and complacency about its abilities. The panel presents an overview of emerging technologies and trends toward automation within the national airspace systemâ€"in areas such as global positioning and other aspects of surveillance, flight information provided to pilots an controllers, collision avoidance, strategic long-term planning, and systems for training and maintenance. The book examines how to achieve better integration of research and development, including the importance of user involvement in air traffic control. It also discusses how to harmonize the wide range of functions in the national airspace system, with a detailed review of the free flight initiative.

In July 2012, the Government consulted on its strategy for aviation, the draft Aviation Policy Framework. This final Aviation Policy Framework will fully replace the 2003 Air Transport White Paper (Cm.6046, ISBN 9780101604628) on aviation, alongside Government decisions following the recommendations of the Independent Airports Commission, established September 2012. The Aviation Policy Framework is underpinned by two core principles: (i) Collaboration: achieved by working together with industry, regulators, experts, local communities to identify workable solutions; (ii) Transparency: decision making based on clear, independent information and processes. The Framework Policy covers the following areas: (1) Supporting growth and benefits of aviation; (2) Managing aviation's environmental impacts, such as climate change and noise pollution; (3) The role of the Airports Commission; (4) Other aviation objectives, including: protecting passenger' rights; competition and regulation policy; airspace; safety; security and planning.