NATS

What NATS does

NATS is the UK's principal air navigation services provider (ANSP), structured around two operating businesses: NATS (En Route) plc (NERL), which operates under agreement with the UK Government and economic regulation by the Civil Aviation Authority to provide en-route air traffic management across all UK upper airspace and the eastern part of the North Atlantic; and NATS (Services) Limited (NSL), which delivers air traffic control and engineering services at 15 UK civil airports and 7 military airfields, plus international services in over 30 countries. In 2025 the group handled 2,536,156 flights (the busiest year since the pandemic, +2.7% year-on-year), carrying over 300 million passengers and accounting for approximately 24% of all European flights against just 1.3% of European ATM delay.

The technology platform combines safety-critical ATM software with a portfolio of proprietary modules: Searidge Technologies (a 20-year wholly-owned digital tower business using HD cameras, sensors and AI), Intelligent Approach (time-based spacing), Intelligent Stand Manager, Demand Capacity Balancer, Strategic Airport Capacity Manager, GAIN (Green Aviation Insights), BLADE digital-twin platform for controller recruitment and training, and OpenAir (a concept for drone and advanced air mobility integration). NATS also runs Project Bluebird under European SESAR initiatives to develop AI digital controllers. The May 2026 UKADS licence expansion extends NATS into UK airspace design. Searidge technology is deployed at Hong Kong International Airport and forms the AI core of the Iqonair joint venture with Indra Group for global digital tower automation.

NATS generates revenue from four streams: regulated en-route and oceanic charges to airlines and airspace users (subscription/recurring revenue under economic regulation by the CAA); long-term, multi-year ATC contracts at airports won via competitive tender (e.g., Birmingham's 10-year contract from January 2026); international consulting, training and technology licensing across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America (professional services); and defence services delivered through the Aquila joint venture with Thales for the UK Ministry of Defence. Go-to-market is sales-led with direct enterprise relationships and government-to-government channels; over 30 countries are served. The company reports directly to CAA economic regulation and publishes annual accounts (most recently on 26 June 2026).

Name

NATS

Legal name

NATS Holdings Limited

Website

https://nats.aero

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

NATS is the UK's principal air navigation services provider, operating regulated en-route air traffic management for all UK upper airspace and the eastern North Atlantic, providing airport ATC services at 15 UK civil airports and 7 military airfields, and licensing digital tower, AI runway safety, and consulting technology to aviation customers in over 30 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Fareham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Air Traffic Control Services (NATS En Route plc): NATS (En Route) plc (NERL) is the regulated business providing air traffic management services to aircraft within UK airspace and over the eastern part of the North Atlantic, operating under agreement with the UK Government. Revenue is derived from charges to airlines and airspace users for en-route and oceanic services, subject to economic regulation by the CAA.
2. Airport ATC and Engineering Services (NATS Services Limited): NATS (Services) Limited (NSL) provides air traffic control services at UK airports (15 civil and 7 military airfields) and at overseas airports. Revenue comes from long-term service contracts with airports, typically structured as multi-year partnerships following competitive tender processes.
3. International Consulting and Technology Services: NATS provides design and data services to airlines and airspace users, as well as international services to customers in regions such as Asia Pacific and the Middle East, including digital tower solutions, training services, and engineering consultancy.
4. Defence Services (Aquila JV with Thales): NATS (Services) Limited delivers defence services to the UK Ministry of Defence through Aquila, a joint venture with Thales.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NATS is the UK's principal air navigation services provider, handling over 2.5 million flights annually across UK airspace and the eastern North Atlantic. The company provides air traffic control services at 15 UK civil airports and 7 military airfields, and operates all upper UK airspace under a CAA-issued licence. Beyond core ATC services, NATS sells proprietary digital tower technology (via Searidge Technologies), AI runway safety monitoring, demand-capacity balancing, time-based spacing (Intelligent Approach), digital stand allocation, environmental analytics (GAIN), training, and international consulting across over 30 countries.

Product overview

NATS offers a platform-plus-modules architecture combining operational expertise with technology solutions. The core services include ATC Services at 15 UK airports and upper airspace management, supported by specialized modules including Digital Towers (featuring Searidge Technologies' AI-powered runway monitoring), Intelligent Approach (time-based spacing), Intelligent Stand Manager (stand allocation), and GAIN (environmental analytics). Additional modules cover Demand Capacity Balancer, Clarity analytics, Engineering Services, Training Services, Strategic Airport Capacity Manager, and Drones and Advanced Air Mobility Services. The portfolio serves airports, ANSPs, airlines, and governments across over 30 countries, with recent expansion into digital tower joint ventures (Iqonair with Indra) and risk & resilience services (with Willis).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Intelligent Approach: The industry's only true time-based spacing tool that delivers optimised runway capacity, improved on-time performance and reduced CO2 emissions for airports.
• Intelligent Stand Manager
• OpenAir
• BLADE
• Green Aviation Insights (GAIN)
• Searidge Technologies
• Demand Capacity Balancer

Products and services

• ATC Services Core air traffic control service delivered at 15 UK civil airports and 7 military airfields, plus management of all UK upper airspace and the eastern part of the North Atlantic under CAA licence. Service contracts are typically long-term and awarded through competitive tender processes.
• Digital Towers Digital ATC tower solution using HD cameras, sensors, and AI to monitor airfields remotely, enabling ATC services from remote locations and reducing the cost of traditional physical tower infrastructure.
• Intelligent Approach Time-based spacing tool that delivers optimised runway capacity, improved on-time performance, and reduced CO2 emissions for airports; positioned as the only true time-based spacing tool in the industry.
• BLADE Digital-Twin Platform Secure digital-twin platform that enhances how NATS recruits and trains the next generation of air traffic controllers.
• Intelligent Stand Manager Digital stand allocation solution that transforms airport operations by optimising aircraft stand assignments using real-time data and predictive analytics.
• Demand Capacity Balancer (DCB) Tool for managing demand-capacity mismatches at airports and across airspace, helping optimise flow to reduce delays and improve network efficiency.
• Strategic Airport Capacity Manager (Strategic ACM) Long-term capacity planning and strategic optimisation solution for airport network operations and throughput performance.
• Clarity Airport operational performance and analytics platform providing real-time visibility into flight and passenger operations for airport operators.
• Green Aviation Insights (GAIN) Environmental performance and airspace efficiency analytics tool enabling airlines and airports to measure, analyse, and reduce fuel burn, CO2 emissions, and environmental impact.
• Engineering Services Technical engineering support for air traffic systems, including installation, maintenance, and modernisation of ATM infrastructure at airports.
• Training Services Comprehensive air traffic controller training including simulator training, apprenticeship programmes, and ongoing professional development, delivered from the NATS training college in Whiteley.
• Instrument Flight Procedure Design Design and optimisation of instrument approach procedures for airports, contributing to safer and more efficient flight operations.
• Wind Farms assessment services Pre-planning assessment services for wind farm developments, ensuring new wind farms do not interfere with radar and air traffic operations.
• Drones and Advanced Air Mobility Services Services and concepts (OpenAir) supporting the integration of drones, BVLOS operations, and urban air mobility / eVTOL operators into controlled airspace, including multi-operator shared airspace coordination.

Quantifiable outcome

• NATS handles ~24% of European flights while accounting for only ~1.3% of European ATM delay
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• CUR8coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026NATS committed to invest over £500,000 ($600k) in a carbon dioxide removal portfolio through CUR8, which curates and delivers tech-based CDR credits including biochar, direct air capture, and mineralized biogenic CO2 from projects active in the UK and globally. The investment is part of NATS' Target Zero climate strategy to reach net zero by 2035 and carbon negative by 2040, and is among the first investments under the UK Sustainable Aviation coalition's £2 million Advanced Market Signal initiative.
• DroneCloudcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 2026The SOCNI consortium, led by DroneCloud and including NATS, Network Rail, Transport for Wales, RUAS, and British Transport Police, tested beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations around critical national infrastructure including rail inspections and incident response. Results support the development of NATS' OpenAir concept for safe integration of new airspace users. NATS brings operational expertise and airspace coordination to the consortium.
• Indra GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 May 2026NATS and Indra Group formed a joint venture called Iqonair (also referred to as Igonair in some sources) to develop digital tower automation solutions for the world's busiest airports. The joint venture is 51% owned by Indra, headquartered in Spain, and combines Indra's air traffic management systems, NATS' operational expertise (including experience at Heathrow and Gatwick), and Searidge Technologies' AI solutions. The partnership addresses increasing air traffic congestion by developing digital automation tools for international markets including Spain, the UK, the Middle East, US, and Asia.
• Searidge TechnologiesflagshipTechnology or Integration · 31 May 2026Searidge Technologies, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NATS, provides AI-powered digital tower and runway safety monitoring solutions. Searidge's technology is a core component of the Iqonair joint venture with Indra Group, bringing AI solutions to the world's busiest airports. Searidge's systems are deployed at Hong Kong International Airport.
• AZANS (Azerbaijan)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026AZANS, Azerbaijan's air traffic management department under AZCON Holding, announced new cooperation initiatives with NATS at Airspace World 2026 covering next-generation ATM systems, air navigation infrastructure digitization, and safety management enhancements.
• Willis (WTW business)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2025NATS and Willis signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Dubai Airshow 2025 to deliver risk and resilience advisory services and bespoke solutions to global aviation stakeholders. The partnership combines NATS' airspace expertise with Willis' risk and resilience know-how to help aviation providers manage geopolitical shocks, cyber threats, climate disruptions, and supply chain volatility.
• Bayanat EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2025NATS and Bayanat Engineering signed an MoU at Dubai Airshow 2025 to advance air traffic solutions across the Middle East and Africa. The partnership combines NATS' operational excellence with Bayanat's market knowledge, systems integration capabilities, and regional stakeholder relationships to deliver comprehensive end-to-end solutions including digital tower technology, Intelligent Approach, and airspace modernisation.
• Network RailcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork Rail partnered with NATS and DroneCloud in the SOCNI consortium to test BVLOS drone operations around critical national infrastructure (rail), demonstrating that multiple operators can safely share the same airspace. The trial unlocks drone operations for rail inspections and incident response.
• DFS Aviation ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAZANS announced cooperation with DFS Aviation Services alongside NATS at Airspace World 2026, covering next-generation ATM systems and air navigation infrastructure.
• UK CAAiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAZANS announced cooperation initiatives including NATS and UK CAAi covering safety management enhancements and next-generation ATM systems at Airspace World 2026.
• Transport for WalesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransport for Wales participated in the SOCNI BVLOS drone consortium alongside NATS and DroneCloud, testing drone operations around critical national infrastructure.
• British Transport PoliceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritish Transport Police participated in the SOCNI BVLOS drone consortium alongside NATS, DroneCloud, and Network Rail, testing drone operations for incident response around critical national infrastructure.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• DSNA (Direction des Services de la Navigation Aérienne): France's national ANSP, a division of the French civil aviation authority. Operates en-route, approach and tower ATC across French airspace, with comparable scale, regulated tariff structure, and SESAR-driven modernisation roadmap to NATS.
• ENAV: Italy's national ANSP and a listed company providing ATC services and ATM technology. Like NATS, ENAV has co-invested in Aireon and offers both operational services and international technology solutions, making it a comparable direct peer.
• DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung: Germany's ANSP, providing civil and military ATC across one of Europe's busiest airspaces. Direct comparable in operational scale, regulatory structure, and customer base (airports, airlines, German government); recently collaborated with NATS in the AZANS partnership.
• NAV CANADA: Canada's national air navigation service provider (ANSP), operating a privately governed, non-profit model similar to NATS. Both organisations provide en-route and tower ATC, manage large sovereign airspace, and have jointly invested in Aireon alongside NATS.
• Skyguide: Swiss national ANSP providing civil and military ATC across Swiss airspace. Closely comparable in operational scope (en-route, approach, tower), regulatory oversight model, and involvement in cross-border European airspace modernisation programmes.

Broad incumbents

• Thales Group: Global aerospace and defence prime with a substantial air traffic management business; NATS' partner in the Aquila defence JV. Provides comparable ATM systems, radar, and digital tower solutions to ANSPs and airports worldwide.
• Saab (Air Traffic Management): Swedish aerospace and defence major whose Air Traffic Management division offers surveillance, automation and digital tower products. Competes with Searidge and other NATS technology offerings in global ATM tenders.
• Indra Group: Spanish IT and defence major whose ATM division competes with NATS globally and is the 51% partner in the Iqonair JV. Comparable as a major ATM technology vendor serving airports and ANSPs worldwide, with broader portfolio than NATS' air traffic focus.

Emerging players

• Frequentis: Austrian-headquartered specialist in ATM and mission-critical control room solutions, serving ANSPs and airports globally. Comparable as a technology provider in the same airspace modernisation and digital tower procurement cycles as NATS.

Regional players

• Avinor (Norway): Norwegian state-owned airport operator and ANSP managing a network of regional airports and en-route airspace. Comparable in providing ATC at multiple airports and operating cold-weather / oceanic airspace similar to NATS' North Atlantic operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/natspressoffice
• YouTubeyoutube.com/natsaero
• Facebookfacebook.com/NATSaero
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nats
• Instagraminstagram.com/natsaero

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NATS