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The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) held a review of the airspace over Manchester and uncovered several safety concerns.

High on the list of them concerns is the risk of mid air collisions due to this concern they are to make changes to the airspace.

The airspace they are concerned about is the Manchester Low Level Route (MMLR) which is a designated corridor within Manchester Airport’s busy airspace extending from ground level to 1,300ft.

Although aircraft have Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems on board this with the flight crew’s vision is all any aircraft would have in the MLLR as they wouldn’t be on Manchester radar.

The MLLR has a class D airspace and has an exemption from airspace rules which basically means any aircraft can fly through the large block of Manchester and Liverpool’s airspace without needing to contact Air Traffic Control (ATC) This helps aircraft by avoiding longer detours over high terrain or water.

In July 2023 we also published the findings of the CAA’s comprehensive review into the MLLR and highlighted a number of safety concerns. This includes the risk of midair collisions and limited emergency landing options due to urban sprawl.

After detailed analysis and collaboration with both Manchester and Liverpool Airports, they are proposing an amendment to the MLLR with four core elements. The proposed elements are:

  • Reclassifying the current Class D MLLR airspace to Class G airspace.
  • Implementing a Restricted Area within the reclassified airspace
  • A maximum altitude within the Class G airspace of 1500ft – 200ft higher than the MLLR currently permits.
  • Creating Class G airspace wider than today’s MLLR

To improve the situation the CAA conducted a joint Hazard Identification (HAZID) sessions with both Manchester and Liverpool airport’s controlling authorities which identified potential hazards and ensuring the changes to be made will maintain safety standards.

With no collisions to be reported people could still be concerned that after all this time the CAA have only just put things right which is unacceptable.