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.

When most people picture an air traffic controller, they’ll probably think of someone wearing a headset sat in front of a radar screen. My guess is that few will think of the humble Flight Progress Strip and the vital role they play in keeping aircraft moving safely and efficiently.

At this week’s Airlines 2025 event, I joined colleagues from across the sector to discuss capacity and resilience in UK aviation. It highlighted a simple truth: growth alone will not suffice for passengers — resilience must grow alongside capacity. That’s the standard the industry is aiming for, and it’s how the UK will remain competitive.

With the great British weather being reliably unreliable, we occasionally need to put additional measures in place to safely manage flights in UK airspace. These measures ensure we can handle as many flights as possible, with minimal disruption and without compromising on safety, which is always our primary objective. Here we explore ‘low visibility procedures’ (LVPs), what are they and what they mean…

To keep up with growing demand for air travel, a major programme is in progress to upgrade the UK’s airspace infrastructure. Airspace modernisation aims to reduce emissions, improve efficiency and capacity and harness the latest technologies – both on the ground and in the air.

Our series of data visualisation videos showcase the complex role of air traffic control and the impressive work our controllers do to juggle the demands and challenges of our skies every day.

It’s not often we experience a storm with the power Storm Éowyn unleashed on Friday. We talk about ‘once in a generation’ storms, and this record-breaking one definitely comes close.

For International Day of the Air Traffic Controller, we are celebrating all the amazing work that our air traffic controllers do to keep the skies safe! Today they are sharing their stories and experiences in a career like no other.

As we celebrate Armed Forces day, 78 Squadron, Air Traffic Control Officer, Flight Lieutenant Ross Hammerton, tells us about his recent trip to the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations in Normandy. The event commemorated members of RAF No. 15082 GCI & Mobile Signals Units, a little-known British radar unit that landed on Omaha Beach with US Forces and lost several personnel. 

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!