The use and influence of Artificial Intelligence is growing every day and shaping industries worldwide.  It appears to be able to do so much for us, but is it just the latest technological trend, or a valuable and worthwhile tool?  

Our flagship AI research programme, Project BlueBird, is exploring the practical value of AI in Air Traffic Management (ATM) and its potential to support our future operations.   

We recently opened the doors of Prestwick Centre to several students from Ayrshire schools as part of the King’s Foundation programme. Keen to understand more about aviation careers and air traffic control, the students were given a tour of the operation.

Springtime is always busy for us at the Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve. But there’s another milestone that’s marked at this time of year, the start of breeding season for our frogs and toads. However, sometimes they need a helping hand getting back to the body of water they’re trying to return to.

The NATS ATC team has been working closely with London Gatwick to deliver a big milestone in the airport’s infrastructure upgrades, with the activation of the new Echo Romeo Rapid Exit Taxiway (RET). Construction started in 2023 and it officially opened for operations last month, just in time for the busy summer season which kicks in this weekend.

We’re excited to share something new with the ATM community in Geneva next week – an offer from NATS to help create the world’s first truly global index of airspace efficiency.

At the end of last year, we ran a series of simulations at our head office in Hampshire designed to help us understand how eVTOLs might one day operate at scale within UK airspace which promoted a lot of questions. I wanted to take this opportunity to answer some of the points people took the time to raise.

Over the past few years, the Operational Service Enhancements Project (OSEP) has been quietly but significantly transforming airspace operations, culminating in tangible benefits for both operational efficiency and the environment.

The last couple of weeks have seen a strong Jet Stream and some rapid transatlantic crossings. That’s prompted some people to wonder if those flights have actually been flying faster than the speed of sound and going super-sonic.

In this blog, Rich Crooks, Manager Airspace Delivery, explains how NATS is progressing the path to modernise UK airspace.

Over 70 representatives from the aviation industry joined us at Whiteley, for a Mass Diversion Exercise to trial a new tool being developed by EUROCONTROL. Airlines, airports, the CAA and Department for Transport helped us carry out a full-scale trial of an electronic interface, designed to improve the management of aircraft diversions during runway closures and weather events.