Belfast City Airport Awards ATC Contract to NATS

George Best Belfast City Airport (IATA: BHD) has announced that NATS became its new air traffic services provider with effect from July 1.

It is the first time the airport has awarded a contract for air traffic control services to an external company, with NATS beating bids from Air Navigation Services and the Swedish air traffic control provider, LFV.

NATS, which manages air traffic services at 13 other UK airports, will now take responsibility for the safety and efficiency of the airport’s 42,000 annual arrivals and departures, having provided engineering services to the airport since 2007.