London Gatwick’s Route 4 airspace change proposal reaches halfway point as communities and stakeholders invited to have their say
| Company | London Gatwick Airport |
|---|---|
| Date | 16.03.2026 |
- London Gatwick’s 14-week public consultation on proposals for reintroducing satellite-based navigational procedures to Route 4 – one of nine departure routes – has reached its halfway point
- Proposal forms part of a UK government programme to modernise the UK’s airspace
Communities and stakeholders have just over six weeks left to respond to London Gatwick’s public consultation on options for the future operation of Route 4 – one of the departure routes for aircraft flying out of the Airport – as part of an Airspace Change Proposal (ACP).
The consultation, which has now reached its halfway point, seeks to gather feedback from communities and stakeholders on proposals for reintroducing satellite-based navigational procedures to Route 4.
Route 4 is one of nine departure routes from London Gatwick. Planes flying Route 4 take-off in a westerly direction from the main runway, before turning 180 degrees northwards and heading east to their final destination.
As part of a UK government programme to modernise the UK’s airspace, airports are required to adopt new navigational procedures which use modern, satellite-based technology.
The original Route 4 airspace change was initiated in 2012, and satellite-based navigational procedures were first introduced on all nine departure routes from the Main Runway at London Gatwick in 2013. This included Route 4. However, due to regulatory and legal challenges, this technology was subsequently withdrawn for Route 4 in 2019.
Since then, London Gatwick has undertaken extensive work to progress an ACP to reintroduce the new navigational procedures on Route 4 and overcome issues identified in the legal challenge.
The reintroduction of satellite-based navigational procedures on Route 4 is essential because the ground-based infrastructure which supports conventional navigation is gradually being phased out as part of a national modernisation programme. All of London Gatwick’s other arrival and Main Runway departure routes have already successfully adopted the new navigation procedures.
In addition to being a regulatory requirement, the proposals could also help to deliver benefits for some communities including reduced noise and environmental impacts.
A public consultation on the four shortlisted options for the future operation of Route 4 runs until Tuesday 28 April 2026. There are a range of ways to take part in the consultation, learn more about the shortlisted options for Route 4, and comment on the proposals.
How can communities and stakeholders take part in the consultation?
Click here for more information on the Gatwick Airport website.
