The story of our skies

The past, present and future of airspace

How it started

The origins of air traffic control

Air Traffic Control (ATC) helps keep aircraft safely spaced apart by managing their speed, height, and routes. It all began in the 1920s at Croydon Airport, where the world’s first airport control tower was built. That innovation soon spread globally, shaping the way air travel is safely coordinated today.

More about ATC & NATS

The Jet Age

By the 1950s, the Jet Age had arrived. The de Havilland Comet entered service with the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), ushering in faster, longer distance travel. In this same period, modern route structures were introduced, and UK skies as we know them today were formed.

About NATS

NATS was established

The 60s brought Beatlemania, the Moon landing – and NATS. Since then, we’ve managed UK air traffic, maintaining an exceptional safety record in one of the most complex and busy airspaces in the world.

About NATS

60 years on

Working in partnership with the Department for Transport (DfT), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), airports, airlines and the military, we manage airspace from our control centres in Swanwick, Hampshire, and Prestwick, Ayrshire, and from airport control towers nationwide. Our expertise is world-renowned, with NATS controllers also operating in major hubs like Delhi, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Where we operate

Today's skies

Managing the skies

NATS is the custodian of UK airspace – responsible for keeping the skies safe and aviation traffic flowing. We design the routes that aircraft follow, provide critical data to pilots, and manage every flight above 7,000 feet.

About airspace

Our licence

NATS is licenced by the CAA under the Transport Act 2000 to provide en route air traffic control services for the UK. Under the terms of our regulated operations, we’re responsible for permitting safe and equitable access to airspace for all users while ensuring the most efficient overall use of the airspace.

About the licence

Growing demand

UK airspace spans just 11% of Europe’s skies, yet NATS handles a quarter of its traffic. Over 2.4 million aircraft pass through our airspace annually – a figure expected to reach 3 million in the next decade. As demand grows, our 4,500 employees are working to advance aviation and keep the skies safe.

Airspace in numbers

Working in partnership

NATS works closely with airlines, airports, the UK government, regulators, the military, and international aviation bodies to keep airspace efficient, safe, and sustainable. We also engage with local communities affected by flight paths, ensuring their voices are heard as we shape the skies of the future.

Engaging with stakeholders

The next era of airspace

Airspace modernisation

UK airspace was built for a different age – slower aircraft, less sophisticated technology, and a fraction of today’s traffic. But the skies are changing. NATS is leading a national programme of airspace redesign to make the route system more efficient, increase capacity, and cut the emissions that each flight produces.

Airspace Modernisation

Emerging aviation

We’re preparing for a future where drones and air taxis share the skies with commercial aircraft. We’re focused on the safe, seamless integration of new airspace users – so the benefits of aviation can reach more people, in more places, across the UK.

New airspace users

New technology for future skies

Technology is at the heart of our vision for the future of airspace. We’re developing solutions to meet the evolving needs of the aviation industry. From advanced software that supports the design of new airspace structures, to intelligent aircraft spacing tools that boost efficiency at some of the world’s busiest airports.

New technology

Engaging on change

Every change we make follows guidance set out by the CAA’s Airspace Design guidance (CAP1616). As part of this, we consult with stakeholders, including airspace users and communities on the ground, about airspace change to set out the reasons and impacts of change, gather feedback and ensure transparency.

Consultation & engagement

Airspace in numbers

Each month we report the numbers of flights we handle in UK Airspace.

Explore the airspace

Scottish Airspace Modernisation

Scottish Airspace Modernisation is a coordinated airspace change proposal in Scotland between Glasgow Airport, Edinburgh Airport, and NATS.

Airspace overview

The UK has one of the most complex and busy airspace networks in the world. With over 2.4 million flights a year, we handle a quarter of Europe’s air traffic – despite having only 11% of its airspace.

New airspace users

Emerging aircraft types, including ‘electric air taxis’ and drones, are changing the way we use our skies.

Adapting to these changes while avoiding disruption to existing aviation will require a whole new way of managing airspace.

Airspace modernisation

With over 2.4 million flights passing through our airspace we’re modernising the network to improve efficiency, increase capacity, and reduce environmental impact.

Plane talking

Take a journey through the skies, learn the language of aviation and see how NATS Air Traffic Controllers safely guide a real domestic flight from London Heathrow to Manchester.

Communities on the ground

We never forget that what we do affects people’s lives on a daily basis, and we are always mindful of community needs and concerns as well as those of our customers.

Have your say

All proposed changes to the UK’s airspace follow the CAA’s airspace change process. Public consultation is a key part of the airspace change process for proposals below 7,000 ft. Consultation provides an opportunity for both public and aviation stakeholders to feedback on proposed changes.

Airspace TV

Airspace TV is the home of airspace visualisation and explanation videos. Here you can see air traffic come to life through real-time data visualisations and learn more about airspace.

ALTITUDE

Our aviation themed podcast

Watch here

UK flights

-
Departed today
-
Landed today
-
Currently airborne
-
Handled yesterday
Close
Back to top
Menu

Please start typing and we will search our website for you.

Search Results