What Air Navigation Solutions Ltd. does

Air Navigation Solutions Ltd. (ANSL) is a UK-based air traffic management (ATM) provider and a wholly owned subsidiary of DFS Group (DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH), Germany's national air navigation service provider. Headquartered in Gatwick with operational delivery at Edinburgh, ANSL delivers tower and approach air traffic control services, performance optimisation and intelligence, and engineering and technology services — including ATS asset upgrade, procurement, ATSEP competency assessment, and full-service Air Traffic Engineering capabilities — to airport operators in the UK. Its two anchor contracts are London Gatwick (world's busiest single-runway operation, where ANSL has operated since March 2016) and Edinburgh Airport (Scotland's busiest and fastest-growing airport). Beyond core ATC services, ANSL has built a portfolio of proprietary software products including SimpliFID (an ADS-B-based Flight Information Display solution co-developed with DataBeacon), SafeTrack ATC (an automated safety reporting SaaS delivered via monthly subscription), and Attis (a COVID-recovery operational compliance platform offered freemium). Supporting services include the ATCO Resource Subscription Scheme (rotational licensed ATCO provision), simulator-based training (Unit Validity Course, online Human Factors course), Remote Tower Control expertise (delivered to the Royal Navy at RNAS Culdrose), Radar in The Tower (RiTT), and an ATM Occurrence Investigator Course co-developed with Cranfield University.

ANSL generates revenue through a mix of managed services (tower and approach ATC), professional services (engineering, training, performance optimisation), and recurring subscriptions (SafeTrack ATC, ATCO Resource Scheme, Attis premium tier). It sells primarily through enterprise field sales relationships directly to airport operators and, more recently, to other ANSPs via SafeTrack ATC. The company holds regulatory certifications including EU Regulation 2017/373 (achieved five months ahead of deadline), ISO 9001, and Cyber Essentials Plus, and combines DFS Group's group-level capability and ab-initio ATCO training infrastructure in Germany with the agility of a standalone UK business. Its customer base remains anchored on Gatwick and Edinburgh, with adjacent wins at HIAL (six airports), Gloucestershire Airport, and the Royal Navy indicating a broadening of the addressable market across UK regional airports, defence, and the broader ANSP software segment.

Name

Air Navigation Solutions Ltd.

Legal name

Air Navigation Solutions Ltd.

Website

https://ans-atc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ANSL is a UK air traffic management provider and wholly owned subsidiary of DFS Group, delivering tower and approach ATC services plus proprietary software (SimpliFID, SafeTrack ATC, Attis) to airport operators and other ANSPs, anchored at London Gatwick and Edinburgh Airport.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Gatwick

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Air Traffic Control Services: Tower and approach air traffic control services at airport locations including safety management capabilities and regulatory compliance services.
2. Engineering and Technology Services: ATS asset upgrade, procurement, Air Traffic Engineering Training, competency assessment, and full service ATE capabilities.
3. Performance Optimisation and Intelligence: Concept development, implementation, performance improvements and simulations in real and fast-time environments.
4. SafeTrack ATC Subscription: Monthly subscription-based safety reporting solution providing automated safety performance reports for ANSPs.
5. SimpliFID Solution: Turn-key FID solution with planning, management, testing, commissioning, safety documentation, training, and regulatory approval support services.
6. ATCO Resource Subscription Scheme: Provides licensed ATCOs to UK aerodromes on a rotational basis through an ongoing subscription model, eliminating upfront investment for customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Air Navigation Solutions Ltd. (ANSL) provides bespoke air traffic management (ATM) services and proprietary technology solutions to UK airports. Core services include tower and approach air traffic control, performance optimisation and intelligence, and engineering and technology services delivered on-site at Edinburgh and Gatwick airports. The product portfolio spans SimpliFID (an ADS-B based flight information display), SafeTrack ATC (automated safety reporting subscription), Attis (operational compliance) and the ATCO Resource Subscription Scheme, with additional training courses and Remote Tower Control expertise.

Product overview

ANSL provides a portfolio of air traffic management services and software solutions primarily for UK airports. Its core service offering spans Air Traffic Control (tower and approach services at Edinburgh and Gatwick), Performance Optimisation & Intelligence, and Engineering & Technology. The product portfolio includes SimpliFID (a flight information display solution built on DataBeacon's Victor5 platform), SafeTrack ATC (an automated safety reporting subscription), and Attis (a COVID recovery compliance solution). Supporting services include ATCO resourcing via a subscription scheme, simulator training at Gatwick and Edinburgh, the Unit Validity Course (UVC) for simulator-based ATCO unit training, an ATM Occurrence Investigator Course co-delivered with Cranfield University, an online Human Factors training course, Remote Tower Control (RTC), Radar in The Tower (RiTT) implementation support, and MET system upgrades (AeroMET). ANSL also delivers bespoke consulting and project management services, including asset replacement programmes, drone integration (iDOAIrports), and the ATM Services for Airports Package (ASAP).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SimpliFID: Affordable, low-complexity Flight Information Display (FID) solution for air traffic control and airport market that aligns with UK FID regulation.
• SafeTrack ATC
• Attis
• ASAP (ATM Services for Airports Package)

Products and services

• Air Traffic Control Services Tower and approach air traffic control services including safety management capabilities and regulatory and compliance services, delivered on-site at Edinburgh and Gatwick airports for airport operators.
• Performance Optimisation & Intelligence Concept development and implementation, performance improvements, and simulations in real- and fast-time environments, delivered as bespoke air traffic management solutions to airport operator customers.
• Engineering & Technology Services Full-service Air Traffic Engineering (ATE) capability including ATS asset upgrade and procurement, Air Traffic Engineering Training, competency assessment, and end-to-end ATE delivery.
• ATCO Resource Subscription Scheme A subscription service providing licensed Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) to UK aerodromes on a rotational basis, eliminating upfront recruitment and training investment for regional airports facing ATCO shortages.
• Simulator Training Simulator-based training at Gatwick and Edinburgh facilities that can be configured to replicate any airport environment, for ATCO unit training, competency maintenance and airside vehicle driver training modules.
• ATM Services for Airports Package (ASAP) A bundled package of cost-effective ATM solutions for airports managing lower demand and quickly scaling up operations, including simulator training, ATCO resourcing and asset replacement project management support.
• Radar in The Tower (RiTT) An implementation service that combines Tower and Approach Radar functions at a single working position, including feasibility reports, training, equipment upgrades and regulatory approval support to help controllers maintain skillsets and enable efficient staffing coverage during low traffic periods.
• Remote Tower Control (RTC) Remote and digital tower operations enabling flexible and cost-effective ATC service delivery, allowing multiple airports or ATC units to be served from a single remote location, including operational acceptance and safety assurance support.
• iDOAIrports (Integrated Drone Operations on Airports) Drone operations workstream enabling integrated drone flights at airports for structural inspections, thermal inspections and airfield lighting inspections.
• SimpliFID An affordable, low-complexity Flight Information Display (FID) solution for air traffic control and airport markets, fully aligned with new UK FID regulation. Uses Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) as a flexible source of display data and is built on DataBeacon's Victor5 platform.
• SafeTrack ATC Industry-first automated safety reporting solution for Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) that monitors regulatory required safety performance using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), trackable metrics and amalgamated comparative data, delivered as a monthly subscription.
• Attis Operational compliance solution for airports to restart or scale up ATM operations post-COVID, covering competency, training, rostering, cleaning, office layout planning, PPE, social distancing, testing and COVID risk assessments. Available in Basic (free), Perfect and Premium tiers.
• Unit Validity Course (UVC) A 14-week assessed simulator-based full unit training programme for ATCOs, the UK's first world-leading simulator-led On-the-Job Training programme, enabling tailored traffic scenarios and pause-and-discuss training.
• ATM Occurrence Investigator Course A five-day hands-on training course co-developed with Cranfield University providing practical experience in conducting ATM occurrence investigations and writing comprehensive investigation reports, including investigative interviewing training and a simulated high-fidelity investigation.
• Online Human Factors Course for ATC Trainees An innovative online Human Factors training course developed by ANSL's Head of Human Factors for ATC trainees, designed to elevate TRM and HF understanding across the ATM industry.

Quantifiable outcome

• 55 movements per hour peak capacity achieved at Gatwick (world's busiest single runway)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DataBeaconcoreTechnology or Integration · 11 October 2023Collaboration partner in SimpliFID development. SimpliFID builds on the processing capability of DataBeacon's Victor5 platform.
• Muir Matheson Aviation Ltd. (MM Aviation)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 28 June 2023Selected to upgrade Meteorological Information Management (MET) system at Edinburgh Airport. Global leader in aviation weather technology supplying AeroMET equipment and installation capabilities.
• Cranfield UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 September 2021Partnership to deliver ATM Occurrence Investigator Course. Developed by ANSL's Lead Investigator and unit investigator in collaboration with Cranfield's Lecturer in Aircraft Accident Investigation.
• Osprey Consulting Services LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 July 2021Supporting Osprey in provision of operational acceptance and safety assurance services for Remote Tower Solution at Royal Navy Air Station Culdrose and Predannack Airfield. First digital Remote Tower for UK Armed Forces.
• Aviation ActionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 February 2021Mental health charity partnership providing Mental Health First Aider training through Mental Health England programme.
• SITTIcoreTechnology or Integration · 29 January 2020World leading supplier of voice communication systems (VCS). Contract to deploy MULTIFONO M800IP Voice Communication and Control Systems at both Gatwick and Edinburgh ATC operations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NATS (National Air Traffic Services): UK's principal air navigation service provider, operating ATC at Heathrow and other major UK airports. Direct competitor for managed ATC services in the UK and the most relevant comparable for ANSL's core tower/approach business.
• DFS Aviation Services GmbH: Subsidiary of ANSL's parent DFS Group providing ATC and consulting services to regional airports and ANSPs across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Closely comparable in service portfolio and customer type to ANSL.
• Frequentis AG: Austrian-headquartered supplier of air traffic management voice communication, surveillance, and tower solutions. Competes with ANSL-adjacent technology like the SITTI VCS deployments and provides comparable engineering and integration services to ANSPs globally.
• Saab Air Traffic Management (Saab ATM): Provides remote tower, surveillance, and ATM solutions globally. Direct peer in the digital/remote tower and surveillance data processing space where ANSL's SimpliFID and RiTT offerings compete.
• Indra Sistemas (ATM): Spanish IT and ATM systems provider delivering tower, approach, and en-route ATC systems globally. Direct competitor for ATC engineering, modernisation, and turnkey system delivery to airports.
• SkySoft-ATM: Swiss-headquartered provider of ATM software, simulation, and tower solutions including FID and surveillance data processing. Direct comparable to ANSL's SimpliFID and RiTT product set for smaller airports.

Broad incumbents

• Thales Air Traffic Management: Major global incumbent providing full ATM systems, including surveillance, navigation, and tower solutions to large ANSPs. Overlaps with ANSL in radar/surveillance and tower systems but at a much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Leonardo (Selex ES / ATC): Large European defence and ATM player offering surveillance, communications, and tower systems. Competes with ANSL at the system-of-systems level for major airport modernisation contracts.

Emerging players

• Searidge Technologies: Canadian specialist in digital tower, remote tower, and AI-assisted ATC solutions. Comparable to ANSL's Remote Tower Control and RiTT work as a focused emerging player in the same niche.

Others

• DataBeacon: Technology partner whose Victor5 platform underpins ANSL's SimpliFID product. Provides surveillance data processing and ATM software infrastructure used by ANSPs; adjacent ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ans_atc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/air-navigation-solutions-ltd-

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Air Navigation Solutions Ltd.