Air Traffic Control

NATS is a leading provider of tower and approach services, whether you’re a private airport looking to grow or a government looking for efficiency we are ideally placed to help with airport challenges as one of the biggest companies of our kind. We provide ATC tower and approach services to 13 UK airports, Gibraltar Airport, 9 Spanish airports (through our joint venture 'FerroNATS') and most recently to Hong Kong International Airport.

There is a growing trend for outsourcing tower and approach control services due to the complexity it places upon an airport. We provide a highly flexible service adapted to suit each airport’s operational requirements. We also offer remote services which can reduce the cost of on-site air traffic control operations as well as supporting emergency or contingent operations.

• A long history in operating as an ANSP
• Detailed understanding of ATC within the complexity of the airport and wider network environment
• Controllers trained to highest standards
• Commercial awareness and business acumen gained from being a Public Private Partnership

• Long and well established expertise to inform decision making
• Innovative services to increase efficiency and safety
• Maximise operational performance and reduce delay
• Ability to deliver financial targets to achieve cost savings and make a return on investment

As part of our ATS management offering we provide a range of additional services. These are designed to keep your airport operating with the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

Operational efficiency cells

These cells are composed of groups of people who have a direct link to all stakeholders, for instance Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Operations teams. Their role is to join up all the airport functions to enable them to operate smoothly together. Our ATC expertise and knowledge of the airport ‘network’ enables us to provide optimal airport efficiency and to reduce delays.

Operational efficiency cells connect all key airport functions.

Business resilience

We have a range of tried-and-tested procedures to make sure your business carries on in times of crisis or emergency. These range from reinforcement of staffing at units to unique Critical Incident Stress Management arrangements, which are highly effective in returning staff to work after an incident.

Where it’s essential for ATC services to continue without interruption, we provide contingent operations. These normally require additional control facilities, such as a remote tower, which can get these services up and running within an hour.

We have proven methods for ensuring continuity in times of crisis or emergency.

Airfield services

Our experience of the airport environment and tactical knowledge of the ATC operation enables us to provide a highly effective stand planning service as well as many other related airfield operational requirements. These can often be rolled out cost-effectively using existing ATC systems and personnel.

Our expertise in effective stand planning can optimise airport capacity.