The government has announced £3.7 million in funding to redesign the UK’s airspace to create quicker journeys and cut emissions.

The funding will support government’s programme to modernise the UK’s airspace for the first time since the 1950s, helping the aviation industry build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic and create a resilient, efficient airspace that is fit for the future.

It will support airports to develop new, more efficient flight routes that make use of modern technology, such as performance-based navigation, which will enable aircraft to fly more precise routes.

The £3.7 million in new funding brings the total funding to £9.2 million, after an initial round of investment in March 2021, and is being provided on an exceptional basis while the sector recovers from the impacts of the pandemic.

Last week, Aviation Minister Robert Courts announced the funding boost from London City Airport, one of the airports to receive a share of the initial funding last year.

Courts said: “By redesigning our skies, we are creating a modern UK airspace that is fit for future generations and makes journeys quicker, quieter and greener.

“This £3.7 million funding will support the industry in upgrading our airspace, allowing the aviation sector to continue to grow while we build back greener, cut carbon emissions and deliver on our ambitious plans to reach jet zero.”