NATS reappointed to provide air traffic management services at Birmingham Airport
The 10-year contract will see NATS resume operations as air traffic services provider in 2025 after a year-long transition period.
The air navigation services provider (ANSP) won the contract after a competitive tender process, with the airport seeking a partner to align with its ambition to become one of Europe’s leading air transport hubs.
With the industry “evolving at an unprecedented pace,” according to Andrew Holl, Birmingham Airport Airfield Operations Director, the airport is investing £300 million over the next 10 years to upgrade both its terminal building and airfield ahead of projected passenger demand of 18 million by 2033.
The airport has been running its air traffic management (ATM) services in-house for the last ten years with Holl adding that this partnership with NATS marks a “key step forward for Birmingham Airport, opening up opportunities for modernising our services and accelerating our commitment to enhanced connectivity, innovation and a greener future.” The airport’s ATM staff will all transition over to NATS over the next 12 months, while the ANSP has also been tasked with helping to develop a technology and innovation roadmap to ensure the air traffic service can deliver the increase in capacity safely and efficiently, facilitating the airport’s growth.
NATS’ appointment by Birmingham is “testament to the hard work by teams right across the business to understand what the airport needs and to demonstrate the value NATS can add,” noted Guy Adams, NATS services managing director. “Our next priority is to ensure a smooth transition, to welcome the Birmingham air traffic team into NATS, and to work together to support he airport’s ambitions.”
