Skip to main content
Guidance

UK Airspace Design Support Fund rules and eligibility criteria

Who can apply to the UK Airspace Design Support Fund and fund administration rules.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Transport
Published:
13 November 2025
Last updated:
20 March 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated guidance confirms that the CAA will be the fund decision maker and NATS (En Route) plc will be the fund distributor.

  2. First published.

Documents

UK Airspace Design Support Fund rules and eligibility criteria

PDF, 219 KB, 15 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email webmasterdft@dft.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

The UK Airspace Design Support Fund supports airports that are progressing airspace change proposals as part of the national airspace modernisation programme.

This guidance explains:

  • who can apply to the fund
  • what costs the fund covers
  • the application process
  • how to assess applications and disburse the funding

The rules and eligibility criteria are subject to the modification procedure to amend the NATS En Route PLC (NERL) licence.

The fund will be financed alongside the UK Airspace Design Service through a newly introduced UK airspace design charge, paid by commercial airlines.

Sign up for emails or print this page