Essentially NATS is the UK’s provider of en-route and other air navigation services, whilst the Civil Aviation Authority is its regulator. NATS En-Route Plc (NERL) is the regulated monopoly provider of UK and Oceanic en route air traffic services operating under Licence granted by the CAA. In addition, NATS, through its competitive arm, NATS Services Ltd (NSL), provides air traffic services at 15 of the UK’s biggest airports.
The CAA is the UK’s independent specialist aviation regulator with responsibilities for airspace policy, safety regulation, economic regulation and consumer protection. Under the Transport Act 2000 the Government issued a licence to NATS (En Route) plc (NERL) to provide en route air traffic services in the UK. The Act gives the CAA the role of economic regulator of NERL, it exercises this role mainly through monitoring and enforcing the conditions in the Licence and through modifications to the Licence.