NATS Altitude NATS - Advancing aviation, keeping the skies safe

After a hiatus of 18 months, the World ATM Congress returns to Madrid at the end of the month, but what kind of show can we expect as the industry continues to feel the effects of the Covid crisis?  
 
Despite encouraging signs of recovery, traffic levels remain far below pre-pandemic levels in many parts of world. Does that mean plans for expensive new technologies and ground based infrastructure should remain on ice for the foreseeable future, or is now the perfect time to invest? 
 
One thing is certain, being able to maximise the efficiency of existing runways and airspace, accurately model future demand, and prolong the life and enhance the capability of existing airport assets is going to be critically important over the coming years as traffic does begin return. 
 
So, join us for an analysis of the global Air Traffic Management market on the eve of its biggest conference and trade show. Discover how ‘one size fits all’ digital towers are yesterday’s thinking, how optimising runway delivery can help cash strapped airports make smarter use of what they’ve already got, and why true operational predictability may finally be within reach.  

Panel:
Jonny White, NATS Head of Product Management
Andy Taylor, NATS Chief Solutions Officer, Digital Towers
Ben Sandford, NATS Intelligent Approach Product Manager

Altitude is a monthly podcast from NATS.

The last 18 months has been a period of extraordinary turmoil for the aviation industry, and even now as much of the rest of the world begins to recover, UK air traffic remains at around 50% of 2019 levels.
So, what are the long-term prospects for aviation in the UK? What needs to be done to secure a better, brighter future as we learn to live alongside Covid?
From rebuilding passenger confidence and investment in new technologies, through to airspace modernisation and the need to tackle the sustainability challenge, the list of priorities for the industry’s leaders is a long and complex one.
Join us for a special episode of Altitude for the unique opportunity to hear Sean Doyle, British Airways Chief Executive and Karen Dee, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association, in conversation with Martin Rolfe, CEO of NATS.

 Enjoy the show and find out more at nats.aero/altitude

(Originally broadcast in September 2021)

Altitude is a monthly podcast from NATS.
 
It’s now 11 years since a huge volcanic eruption in Iceland grounded flights across the UK and much of northwest Europe. For six days in April 2010, the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull (or E-15) left millions of passengers stranded around the world. Fears over the effect of flying through clouds of ash rich in particles of glass left the industry, regulators and policy makers all struggling to grabble with what was then an event on an unprecedented scale. But what really happened behind closed doors 11 years ago and what has changed since? What lessons did the industry learn from 2010 and what will happen during the next, inevitable eruption? 

In this special episode of Altitude we’ll hear from the controllers and pilots who worked through the crisis, learn about the changes the industry has pioneered since, and get a preview of the huge pan-industry exercise due this autumn.
 
 Enjoy the show and find out more at nats.aero/altitude

(Originally broadcast in August 2021)

Altitude is a monthly podcast from NATS.
 
From sonic booms and Quick Reaction Alert to deployments during Covid and military training exercises, are you ready to explore the world of 78 Squadron? The UK is one of the few countries around the world with a joint and integrated civil and military air traffic control service, with NATS and MoD controllers sitting side by side in the control centre at Swanwick, Hampshire. This close relationship allows greater cooperation and the more flexible use of airspace. But what is the difference between civil and military ATM and how do they work together on a day to day basis? The challenges we both face are very similar; growing levels of traffic, the integration of unmanned air systems and the constant pressure to improve levels of safety and cost-efficiency – just to name a few! But through close and effective cooperation we can meet these and other challenges whenever and wherever they might appear. 

Join us for an RAF Special episode of Altitude for Armed Forces Week, where we’ll be joined by Wing Commander Chrissie Miller, Officer Commanding 78 Sqn, and Gary Dixon, GM Swanwick Operations.
 
 Enjoy the show and find out more at nats.aero/altitude

(Originally broadcast in June 2021)

Altitude is a monthly podcast from NATS.
 
From delivering fresh Norwegian crab to South Korea through to supporting the worldwide vaccine roll out, every year millions of tonnes of freight is flown in our skies in what is 24 hour a day choreography of logistics, just in time planning and human ingenuity. Join us for this episode of Altitude alongside DHL’s Chief Pilot, Richard Brew and Head of Cargo at Manchester Airport Group, Stephen Harvey, for an exploration of the incredible journey that begins when you click ‘buy now’. 

We chatted about exactly what it takes to ensure your Scottish salmon is as fresh as the moment it was caught, the impact of Covid on global demand, how to safely relocate the world’s loneliest elephant… and what the future holds for this vital but often unseen part of the aviation industry.
 
Enjoy the show and find out more at nats.aero/altitude

(Originally broadcast in June 2021)

Altitude is a monthly podcast from NATS.
 
Climate change represents an existential challenge to the aviation industry. We need to act now not just because it’s the right thing to do for the future of our planet, but because failure to do so will see flying become more and more socially unacceptable. Technological advances like sustainable aviation fuels and electric aircraft are incredibly exciting and promise that future generations will be able to enjoy the freedom to travel without the environmental impacts we are now acutely aware of. However, most of these transformative technologies are still 10-15 years away and if aviation is to meet the target of reaching net-zero by 2050, we must do more. Operational improvements can be delivered much more near-term through better and more efficient use of airspace and on-board technology. This, too, is vital to reaching the 2050 target, and for aviation to play its part in delivering on the UK’s 2035 emissions reduction milestone. 

Ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP 26, later this year, join NATS Head of Sustainable Operations, Ian Jopson with British Airways’ Head of Sustainability, Carrie Harris, for an exploration of both the short- and long-term strategies the industry needs to deploy to meet the climate challenge.
 
 Enjoy the show and find out more at nats.aero/altitude

(Originally broadcast in May 2021)