Reflecting on the latest success from Project Caelus and Scotland’s first delivery of medical lab specimens by drone between two NHS boards.

Last week the CAA announced the latest round of ‘BVLOS Sandbox’ projects, all chosen to help push us one step closer to realising routine drone operations in the UK.

Friday 26 July and all eyes were on Paris for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics. Our eyes were on the skies, though, where a huge 80-mile exclusion zone around the French capital kicked in at 4.30pm and stayed in place till 10pm. For neighbouring countries like the UK this meant a massive amount of planning for the air traffic likely to reroute through our airspace.

Development of NATS OpenAir, our proposal for a future integrated airspace management system, continues apace.

I have always enjoyed playing a part in flypasts, so when I was asked if I wanted to be involved with the one being organised for the King’s Birthday, I jumped at the chance!

By dynamically calculating the spacing between aircraft based on real-time local conditions rather than relying on set distances, Intelligent Approach helps airports to maximise the capacity of their runways and optimise the flow of aircraft into the airport, thereby improving on-time performance.

Last week I attended the Sustainable Skies World Summit in Farnborough where SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), hydrogen propulsion and new technology led the conversation.

Two Austrian Red Bull skydivers have completed the ultimate wingsuit flight, jumping from a helicopter at 3,000ft over London, before gliding through the famous landmark Tower Bridge and landing on pontoons. Jonathan Colthart explains how we played a part in this world first event.

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.   

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.