These may be uncertain times, but one thing we know for sure is that flying in the future will look very different from the past. Flying taxis, all-electric aircraft, drone deliveries, even commercial space travel… they are not so far away. That Sixties world of The Jetsons is now knocking at our door!

Since becoming a Public Private Partnership in 2001, all of us at NATS have worked hard to deliver a service that is as safe and efficient as it can be, while reducing costs and offering greater value to our airline customers.

As the demand for air travel continues to rise, those in the aviation industry must work together and develop new technology in order to improve European airspace; meeting people’s desire to fly and at the same time, reducing the impact on our environment.

Yesterday I gave evidence to the Science & Technology Select Committee in Parliament as part of its inquiry into commercial and recreational drone use. Some of my words were inappropriate.  I got it wrong.  I would like to apologise to any drone pilots, the vast majority of whom are extremely responsible, who have been offended by my remarks. 

It’s now been over two months since we introduced the Aireon service over the North Atlantic and we’re getting a clear picture of what all that means in terms of early benefits to our customers.

Storm Miguel has been battering Britain this week and while the rainfall is causing problems on the roads and railways, it’s also been a real problem in the air too…

Operation Overlord, arguably remains one of the most complex tasks ever devised: 160,000 troops (of which 24,000 landed by glider or parachute), 5,000 vessels and 11,000 individual aircraft took part. While obviously bearing no relation to each other, today’s air traffic operation can trace some roots back to that day and to similar operations in preceding years.

With two English teams contesting the Champions League title, we’re expecting to handle up to 800 extra flights between Friday and Sunday.

2018 was the busiest summer on record for air traffic in Europe with peaks of 37,000 flights a day and 2019 is expected to be even busier. Unfortunately last summer also saw some of the worst air traffic delays throughout the continent, caused largely by airspace capacity constraints and staff shortages.

In tonight’s episode of Heathrow: Britain’s Busiest Airport, you’ll have seen the impact the Gatwick drone incident had on the team of controllers at Heathrow, and the wider airport, but of course that was just part of the story.