Key facts
- NATS Holdings, formally National Air Traffic Services (NATS), provides en-route air traffic control services for UK airspace and the Shanwick Oceanic Control Area.
- The company also manages air traffic control for 16 UK airports and one British Overseas Territory.
- NATS operates as a public-private partnership, with the UK government holding 49% and a golden share.
- Martin Rolfe is the current chief executive officer of NATS, having held the position since May 2015.
- The company is divided into NATS En-Route PLC (NERL) for en-route services and NATS Services Ltd (NSL) for airport and international contracts.
NATS Holdings, formally known as National Air Traffic Services (NATS), is the primary provider of air traffic control services within the United Kingdom's airspace and the Shanwick Oceanic Control Area. The company also extends its services to 16 UK airports and one British Overseas Territory.
Established in 1962 as the National Air Traffic Control Services (NATCS), NATS consolidated both military and civil air traffic control responsibilities. It was reorganized into a limited company in 1996 and became a subsidiary of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). In 2001, NATS transitioned into a public-private partnership. Under this structure, the UK government retains a 49% stake and a golden share, while the Airline Group holds 42%, NATS staff own 5%, and LHR Airports Ltd. holds 4%.
Martin Rolfe has been the Chief Executive Officer of NATS since May 2015. The company operates through two main entities: NATS En-Route PLC (NERL), which is the sole provider of civilian en-route air traffic control over the UK and is regulated by the CAA, and NATS Services Ltd (NSL), which competes for contracts to provide air traffic control at airports both domestically and internationally, alongside offering related services such as engineering and consultancy.
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