Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2026 to Question 13301 on Air Routes, how many staff the UK Airspace Design Service is expected to employ when fully operational.

The UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) has commenced work and is completing its mobilisation. It is for NATS En Route plc, as the licence holder, to determine the staffing required to deliver the service and be held accountable for its performance. Once fully operational, they expect UK ADS to operate with around 40 staff, although this is likely to fluctuate through time as delivery requirements change. The UK Airspace Design Service will also be able to draw on expertise and resources from across the wider NATS En Route plc organisation.