In aviation, inspiration sometimes comes from unexpected places. In this case, it comes from nature itself. Migratory birds have long mastered the art of travelling vast distances efficiently. By flying in formation, they conserve energy and share the workload across the flock. Now aviation is exploring how similar principles could help aircraft reduce fuel burn […]

We’re all watching the unfolding Middle East war with concern, worrying about what might happen next. Many of us have friends, colleagues and family stuck there either on holiday, in transit or at work and hoping they’ll stay safe and find a way of getting home soon.

When people think about innovation in air traffic management, they probably picture new tools in the control room or new ways of managing traffic in the skies.  But important innovation also happens much earlier than that in how we identify, assess and support the people who will one day be responsible for keeping aircraft safely separated.

“Aviation is a massive ballet in the sky, with thousands of very small decisions being made every day that all interact with each other.” It sounds lyrical, almost indulgent, until you sit with it for a moment. Because aviation really does move like that: not as a single sweeping motion, but as countless steps, each one dependent on the previous.

Did you know that aviation is full of STARs? Standard Terminal Arrival Route, also known as STARs, are the final part of a journey before an aircraft is transferred to an approach controller to be guided into the runway for landing. Every STAR placement is a compromise between a variety of factors, including terrain, nearby airports, hold positioning, and traffic flow.

Changing the UK’s airspace is a meticulous process that requires significant planning. It cannot be done quickly, and every step is shaped by requirements from the Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). These regulations ensure that changes remain safe and fair, while supporting wider sector goals such as emissions reduction, management of noise impact and capacity growth.  

Work to modernise airspace across the UK is already under way, aiming to enhance airspace efficiency through more direct routing, optimised flight profiles, and new technologies and operational procedures. Find out more about the benefits…

Snow and ice snow can have a serious impact on air traffic operations in a way few people really appreciate

This year we have made significant strides towards developing NATS OpenAir as the UK-wide digital data infrastructure to enable the safe and efficient integration of crewed and uncrewed aircraft in shared airspace. The next step will see us working with Airways New Zealand.

Scotland’s lower airspace is based on a design built for aircraft and navigation technology that belong to another era. Demand has grown, aircraft have changed and the invisible infrastructure that keeps flights safely moving needs a comprehensive upgrade to keep pace.