Plans to change airspace revealed

NATS says no plans have been finalised

Airspace above East Anglia could see significant changes to allow for expansion at Stansted and Luton airports, BBC Look East has discovered.

New holding stacks are proposed close to the airports and over built-up areas although National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has said no plans are finalised.

With tickets getting cheaper and demand rising airports are planning expansion.

NATS said it would put any proposals to public consultation so that all views could be heard.

Public consultation

The stacking area for Luton would be over Little Gransden in Cambridgeshire, the BBC has learned.

Stansted would have two new stacking sites over Wratting Common south east of Cambridge and at Wattisham in Suffolk.

Airport campaigner Steve Charlish said: "Aircraft stacks are loops about 20 miles around with up to six aircraft one minute apart in each, separated by 1,000 feet (310m)."

NATS said the maps which Look East has obtained are out of date, but said anyone interested in having their say would be able to do so during the public consultation.

A NATS spokesman said he did not expect that any consultation would begin until much later in the year.