Media advisory – NATS at the World ATM Congress

NATS will be a key supporter of the World ATM Congress in Madrid on 4-6 March.

On stand 890, NATS experts will be available to discuss a range of ATM topics throughout the event, including: capacity management, airport development, engineering, new technologies, market liberalisation and international growth.

Demonstrations of Time Based Separation, iFACTS, TOPFLIGHT and an innovative new training solution will also be available on the NATS stand.

To pre-arrange an interview please contact the press office at [email protected] or call 01489 615945.

Find out more at: nats.aero/news/wac2014

Delivering services during disruptive events

On the opening day of the conference, NATS Chief Executive Richard Deakin will address delegates on delivering air traffic services during disruptive events. From the Olympics to the Icelandic ash cloud crisis, Richard will be discussing the challenges such events pose and the demand to build ever greater resilience into ATM operations.

Richard’s speech will be in the main conference hall on 4 March at 16.00.

Meeting airline expectations

Martin Rolfe, NATS Managing Director Operations, will be taking part in a discussion asking whether enough is being done to meet airline expectations in Europe. Martin will give his view on how ANSPs can rise to future cost and operational challenges and the role of SESAR in delivering further improvements.

Martin will be speaking in the main conference hall on 4 March at 10.45.

Time Based Separation – a world first

The introduction of Time Based Separation at Heathrow in 2015 will be a world first. By maintaining the landing rate in strong head winds it will save 80,000 minutes of delay every year, halving the current delay figure while significantly reducing the need for airlines to cancel flights – a huge benefit to the airport, airlines and passengers.

Claire Pugh will be addressing attendees of the ‘Unpacking SESAR Solutions’ workshop, room N106 on 5 March at 14.30.

A Time Based Separation demonstration will also be available on the NATS stand.

TOPFLIGHT – delivering the SESAR concept

Now moving into its second phase, the NATS led TOPFLIGHT project is an example of delivering SESAR based concepts into a live operational environment. Last year 100 transatlantic flights were optimised to save fuel and maximise operational efficiency. Now the project is pioneering the first ever cross-border arrivals management trial at Heathrow Airport in order to reduce orbital holding.

Joe Baker will be discussing last year’s results and the project’s next steps at the ‘Demonstrating SESAR’ workshop, room N106 on 5 March at 11.50.

A TOPFLIGHT demonstration will also be available on the NATS stand.

Global SWIM – the path to interoperability

NATS Chief Architect, Simon Daykin, will be taking part in a panel discussion on the role of SWIM in promoting interoperability between ATM systems. Simon will be giving his view on the successes and challenges of implementing SWIM within NATS.

Simon will be speaking in the ATM Theatre on 4 March at 13.15.

Award shortlists

NATS has been shortlisted in the Environment category in the IHS Jane’s ATC Awards for the Future Airspace Strategy Industry Implementation Group. The awards ceremony will be held on 3 March at the CANSO ATM Dinner.

NATS is also a potential winner in the SESAR project awards – the Best in Class Award for the ‘Consolidation of Operational Concept Definition and Validation’; and the Outstanding Project Award for both ‘Ground and Airborne Capabilities’ and the ‘Use of Performance Based Navigation for En Route Separation’.