With thunder, lightning and torrential rain also tend come flight delays. Those are often mysteriously put down to ‘air traffic control restrictions’, but what does that mean in reality and why are storms such a headache for air traffic controllers?

We’re giving five people the chance to win a fabulous selection of NATS goodies.

What exactly does fog mean for an air traffic controller and how do we try and manage the impact of foggy days?

Today we’ve released the fifth edition of our Aviation Index research study, digging into the UK public’s views and attitudes to aviation.

We’ve created a few fun themed Christmas backgrounds that are sure to wow your colleagues in your team meetings and dazzle your friends and family during your next Zoom quiz.

Friday 12 November is International ATSEP day – which is all about recognising and celebrating our colleagues who help to keep our equipment operational and safe. We took time out to speak to colleagues from around our Technical Services team to find out more about ATSEP, what it means to them and how it affects our business.

On this milestone anniversary, we wanted to re-share the stories of two controllers who worked on 9/11 – alongside the incredible account recorded in the London Area Control supervisor’s log book – in commemoration of the victims, and in thanks for all those who worked on that day and every day to help keep the skies safe. 

As you read this, all our existing Altitude episodes are available to listen as your leisure from all the usual podcast libraries, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Amazon Music.

To allay any anxiety that 2020 may have derailed normal operations, we thought you’d appreciate getting a behind the scenes view of the flight planning process has gone so you can reassure anyone expected a delivery on Christmas Eve. 

The voting is over. The poll is closed. The hustings are at an end. After weeks of searching for the definitive answer to what is the greatest single technological innovation in the history or air traffic control, we have an answer.