We’ve been able to measure the environmental efficiency of the aircraft in our skies for some time now, but until now we haven’t been able to extend that knowledge to planes operating on the ground at airports.

NATS had been working with Heathrow, BA and community group HACAN on a noise respite trial for people living under the airport flight paths. Today, the results have been published and they make for interesting reading.

One of the main things occupying the minds of those involved in providing air traffic services is how we reduce costs for airlines whilst improving safety and reducing emissions. Adrian Clark is one of our experts who forms part of the SESAR team looking into how to do this in Terminal Operations.

Forecasts suggest that by 2035 there will be 14.4m flights a year across Europe, 50% more than in 2012. Europe’s airspace, and the way we manage it, will need to be very efficient to deal with that level of demand and maintain both safety and service.

As part of our commitment to the community, NATS works in partnership with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) to manage the nature reserve adjacent to our Swanwick Centre. This June marks the 20th anniversary of the reserve and we’ve been celebrating!

As Airport Live comes to a close, NATS Chief Executive Richard Deakin reflects on the future of Air Traffic Management and the way forward for our ‘invisible infrastructure’.

We’re very aware of the impact aircraft noise has on those who live under flight paths. That’s why we work with airports and airlines to help them minimise the effect and provide respite in the vicinity of the airport.

Perhaps sustainability doesn’t immediately spring to mind when you think about aviation, but at NATS we are well aware that the environment and local communities are central to our business and core to our success.

We’ve developed a new monitoring tool to help our operational and environmental managers better understand flight profiles around our airports.

On January 1st 2012 we delivered another world first by measuring the environmental performance of our airspace in an entirely new way.