Partnerships and Collaboration

In 2010, the Spanish government announced plans to privatise air traffic control at twelve airports. Through the Spanish airport owner, Aena, the government ran a competitive tender which attracted a number of international bidders, including the consortium between NATS and Ferrovial Servicios, FerroNATS.

Ferrovial

Combined, NATS and Ferrovial Servicios posses more than 16 years experience in the liberalised air traffic control market as well as a demonstrable record of providing a customer focused, operationally capable service with the resilience and experience to meet the customer need going forward.

NATS

NATS partnered with Spanish infrastructure company Ferrovial Servicios to combine the operational air traffic control management expertise of NATS with Ferrovial Servicios' understanding of airport management and of AENA. In 2011, FerroNATS was awarded service provision contracts at nine of the twelve towers being liberalised: Alicante, Valencia, Ibiza, Sevilla, Jerez, Sabadell, Cuatro Vientos, Vigo and A Coruña. Together, these airfields serve over 500,000 aircraft movements and more than 28 million passengers per year.

AENA

Throughout the transition from a State provided service to a private sector solution, FerroNATS worked closely with Aena not only to ensure that all regulatory requirements were met, but also to deliver a seamless operational handover. This close relationship enabled FerroNATS to benefit from operational expertise of the incumbent air traffic control providers, and to work collaboratively on a day to day basis after handover.

The success of FerroNATS relies upon engagement with not only the primary customer Aena but also with the various stakeholders at the individual airports. FerroNATS also works closely with the management of each of the nine airports, demystifying how air traffic control works and responding to their unique needs. This way of working helps to maximise efficiency across the airport and fosters a streamlined experience for passengers.

Consultancy

NATS Consultancy enables the global air traffic control community to find innovative ways to solve operational and technical challenges and meet their objectives. Every airport, airline and service provider has to deal with growth. Bigger fleets and more flights mean new ways to manage this demand. But it’s not just commercial pressures – airports are politically high profile and government departments are always looking to increase runway and air space capacity. An experienced partner such as NATS can help prepare for these and ensure a project runs smoothly from start to finish.

Airspace

NATS Airspace offers airlines around the world a range of safe, efficient and innovative en route services. All airlines are under increased pressure to improve flight efficiency through enhanced operational techniques and equipment in order to reduce flight emissions and cut fuel costs. NATS is looking at ways to balance a desire to make the most of rising air traffic at the same time as maintaining the highest levels of safety.

Airports

NATS Airports provides innovative services to increase the efficiency and safety of air traffic control and airport operations in the UK and overseas. We are the biggest company of our kind, working in over 30 countries worldwide. Currently we control 75% of all UK air traffic and are contracted to provide tower services at 9 Spanish airports through FerroNATS, as well as working on capacity and expansion projects at many airports in Asia and the Middle East.

Defence

Internationally, the military are under increasing pressure to share airspace with civil aviation for commercial, political and environmental reasons. As the finance of military departments comes under closer scrutiny it’s essential to find the most cost-effective approach to air traffic control. This strategy must, of course, make sure that security and safety are never compromised. And with airspace around the world becoming more and more congested, this is a tough challenge. NATS Defence has the expertise to bring all these aspects together, improving operational performance and cost-efficiency.

Engineering

Every engineering project at an airport or at a centre has many different elements. These might include technology, legislation, people change, procedural change, safety management and programme management. The difficulty lies in finding a partner with experience in them all. NATS Engineering ensures technology and infrastructure solutions are transitioned seamlessly. Each year we carry out a large number of projects for airport customers worldwide, providing valuable experience at every phase. We can offer a total solution that takes into account every element, from local community buy-in to meeting world-class regulatory compliance standards.

Information

With our skies becoming increasingly congested and budgets being squeezed, the move to more automated, predictable and cost-effective operations will soon be essential. NATS Information provides the cutting edge services to keep pace with technology and legislation as you make this change.

Services

Ferrovial Servicios is an international leader in providing efficient solutions in urban and environmental services and in the maintenance of infrastructures and facilities. Our offering includes a comprehensive catalogue of innovative solutions that meet the most stringent standards of quality and commitment to all kinds of public and private sector clients. Our integral asset management system encompasses the entire service life cycle: from planning to operation and maintenance. We have the necessary expertise to maximise productivity and efficiency over the lifetime of the asset. Ferrovial Servicios maintains leadership positions in markets characterized by their high levels of sophistication and competitiveness.

Toll Roads

Ferrovial, through its subsidiary Cintra, is one of the leading private developers of transport infrastructure in the world in terms of number of projects and investment volume. With over 40 years of experience, we manage a portfolio of 24 concessions with a total of 2,100 kilometers, distributed throughout Spain, Canada, the United States, Portugal, Ireland and Greece. Thanks to our innovative projects and quality standards, we have become one of the strongest multinationals in the sector, with a total investment of 21.2 billion euro.

Construction

Ferrovial Agroman is the flagship company heading up the construction division and is involved in all areas of construction, namely civil works, building and industrial works. Within the context of civil works, the company designs and builds all types of infrastructures such as roads, railways, hydraulic projects, maritime works, hydroelectric works and industrial projects.

Airports

Following the acquisition of BAA Airports Limited in June 2006 (which, in October 2012 was renamed LHR Airports), Ferrovial became the leading private infrastructure operator in the world, with four airports in the United Kingdom including Heathrow Airport, one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. With this service, we help millions of people reach their destinations every year.