Birmingham Airport reappoints NATS as air traffic service provider in 10-year partnership

Credit: Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has announced that it will reappoint NATS as its air traffic service provider on a 10-year contract.

Andrew Holl, Birmingham Airport Airfield Operations Director, said: “Our industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by rising traffic, advancing digitisation, and a heightened focus on sustainability. In this dynamic landscape, our partnership with NATS marks a key step forward for Birmingham Airport, opening up opportunities for modernising our services and accelerating our commitment to enhanced connectivity, innovation, and a greener future. We’re very excited to shape the future of aviation at BHX together with NATS.”

Details of the reappointment of NATS?

NATS will take over the air traffic and associated engineering service – which has been run in-house for the past decade – in 2025, with all the airport’s controllers, assistants and air traffic engineers transferring over to NATS after a 12-month transition period. 

BHX’s appointment follows a competitive tender process, with the airport seeking a partner to support its ambition to become one of Europe’s leading airports. The airport is investing £300 million over the next 10 years in both terminal and airfield improvements to ensure it is ready for its projected passenger demand of 18 million by 2033.

Part of NATS’ remit will be to work with the airport to develop a technology and innovation roadmap to ensure the air traffic service can deliver the increase in capacity safely and efficiently and enable the airport’s growth into the next decade.

Guy Adams, NATS Services Managing Director, said: “We are thrilled that Birmingham has chosen us. It’s testament to the hard work by teams right across the business to understand what the airport needs and to demonstrate the value NATS can add. Our next priority is to ensure a smooth transition, to welcome the Birmingham air traffic team into NATS, and to work together to support the airport’s ambitions. We cannot wait to get started.”

The Birmingham service will be provided by NATS Services Ltd.