NATS

NATS, the UK’s leading air traffic management provider, has handled a record 224,270 flights in July, a rise of 2.8 per cent over July last year. This record breaking figure was supported by individual monthly records at four of NATS’ en-route centres.

London Area Control Centre at Swanwick, Hampshire handled 185,131 flights; London Terminal Control at West Drayton 124,800 flights; Manchester Area Control 56,733 flights and Scottish Area Control Centre handled 56,693 flights.

Overflights showed the greatest increases this month, with transatlantic flights up 7.4 per cent, and the non-transatlantic up 14.9 per cent.  However, the domestic market showed a decline of -1.7 per cent in July.  After strong growth last year, the domestic market is only showing minimal growth this summer, partly as a result of the closure of two airlines in the intervening period.

Traffic at the 15 airports where NATS provides air traffic services grew by 1.2 per cent in July.  The 45th International Airshow contributed to a 25.1 per cent increase in the number of flights handled at Farnborough, whileLuton, Cardiff,London City and Bristol showed increases of 13 per cent, 7.9 per cent, 7.2 per cent and 6.6 per cent respectively.