NATS

NATS, the UK’s leading provider of air traffic services, handled 2.6 per cent more flights in November, compared to the same month last year.

This is slightly lower growth compared to the previous three months in which growth was above three per cent and has been attributed to changes made by airlines recently switching to their winter programmes.

Despite this, centres still showed a rise in traffic with London area and terminal control posting growth of 3.3 and 1.4 per cent respectively.

Scottish area control handled 2.1 per cent more traffic and Oceanic traffic increased by 10.9 per cent in a rise attributed to winter schedules for North Atlantic flights coming into force later than last year.

At airports where NATS offers a service, the strongest growth was at Farnborough and Luton with 16.7 and 10.7 per cent respectively.

International flights saw a big increase in flights to and from Poland, with a rise to 60.7 per cent while Switzerland and Turkey maintained their consistent rises with 16.6 and 14.5 per cent respectively.

Notes to Editors:

·         Quoted airport traffic figures are based on flights handled through NATS Area Control Centres, not on actual airport movements which are not available until later in the month.

·         NATS handled 2.4 million flights in 2006.

·         NATS provides ‘en route’ air traffic control and management from the London Area Control Centre at Swanwick, Hampshire, Scottish and Oceanic Area Control Centre at Prestwick, Ayrshire and the Manchester Area Control Centre located at Manchester Airport.  

·         NATS also provides air traffic control services at 15 of the nation's major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow, together with air traffic services at Gibraltar Airport.