01 / Deployed
London City Airport digital remote tower with NATS
London City Airport · NATS
Technology supplier
NATS
Air Traffic Management
NATS, the UK's air navigation service provider, also sells air traffic technology, and leads Project Bluebird, research into AI controllers for UK airspace.
Based in Whiteley, Hampshire, with 1,001 to 5,000 staff, it built Bluebird with the Alan Turing Institute and the University of Exeter: a probabilistic digital twin of UK airspace with AI agents acting as controllers. It is research, with shadow-mode trials on live London data planned for 2026. NATS products include Intelligent Approach arrival spacing, Intelligent Stand Manager and digital towers.
At its Heathrow (LHR) digital tower lab it is piloting AIMEE, AI that monitors runway clearance. As a customer of Aireon, it extended its North Atlantic surveillance data contract to 2037 in May 2026.
NATS owns Searidge Technologies, whose AI video analytics underpin digital towers, and in May 2026 formed Iqonair, a digital-tower joint venture, with Indra.
Aviation AI deployments and updates
02 / Pilot
AIMEE runway-clearance monitoring trials in the NATS Digital Tower Laboratory at Heathrow
London Heathrow · Searidge Technologies with NATS
NATS and Searidge Technologies have been testing AIMEE, an AI platform that watches Heathrow arrivals through cameras and tells controllers when each aircraft has cleared the runway. The work runs in the NATS Digital Tower Laboratory inside the Heathrow control tower, where, according to Searidge, 20 ultra-high-definition cameras were installed: 18 on the tower and two at an exit from the northern runway.
The problem it addresses is low cloud. When the tower cab disappears into cloud, controllers lose sight of the runway and landing capacity drops; EUROCONTROL says the system could help Heathrow reclaim up to 20% of the capacity lost in those conditions, which is a target rather than a measured result. AIMEE interprets the camera images, tracks each aircraft and informs the controller once it has cleared the runway and its protected areas, and the controller still decides whether to clear the next arrival.
The trial counts differ by source. EUROCONTROL describes non-operational data trials from January to March 2019 that monitored more than 50,000 arriving aircraft, with the results presented to the Civil Aviation Authority; Searidge says AIMEE identified over 40,000 arrivals on runway 27R/09L. Euronews still described Heathrow as piloting the technology in November 2024.
Searidge has said NATS expected to extend the trials to more varied weather and to test whether the system works in full CAT II/III low-visibility conditions. No operational go-live, regulatory approval or controller-acceptance data had been published as of 16 October 2026.
Products & Solutions
8 productsIntelligent Approach
A modular arrival spacing system jointly developed by NATS and Leidos UK. Described by NATS as the world's only true time-based separation tool, it optimises aircraft spacing on approach to increase runway capacity, improve resilience, and reduce emissions.
The problem it addresses
Runway capacity is constrained by fixed distance-based wake vortex separation rules, which become overly conservative in strong headwind conditions. Intelligent Approach replaces fixed distances with dynamically calculated time-based intervals adjusted for live wind, aircraft type pairs, and runway configuration, allowing more landings per hour, reducing airborne holding, and cutting fuel burn and CO2 emissions without additional infrastructure.
Key features
- Time-Based Separation (TBS) - dynamically adjusts separation intervals using live wind data from Mode S radar every 4-6 seconds
- Pairwise separation - calculates minimum separation per individual aircraft-type pair rather than broad wake categories
- Advanced Mixed Mode - manages interleaved arrivals and departures on a single runway
- Curved approach module (in development) - sequences aircraft across multiple RNP and ILS approaches
4 more features
- Visual markers on controller radar showing required separation distances
- System-agnostic integration via standard message sets; integrates with Indra ManagAir
- Minimal training and operational change required
- Modular and customisable to airport-specific needs
Technical specifications (4)
- Mode S radar-derived wind data, updated every 4-6 seconds
- Supports Cat I, Cat II, Cat III instrument conditions
- Integration with A/DMAN via standard message sets
- Compatible with Indra ManagAir ATM system
Integrates with
Indra ManagAir ATM systemA/DMAN (Arrival/Departure Manager)Mode S radar (wind data)
Product documentationIntelligent Stand Manager
Intelligent Stand Manager (ISM) is an AI-powered aircraft stand allocation system developed by Searidge Technologies, owned by NATS. It uses machine learning, historical data analysis, and digital twin technology to automatically generate optimised aircraft stand allocation plans.
Key features
- AI and ML-powered automated stand allocation planning
- Digital twin of airport stand operations
- Considers airline preferences, TMA constraints, and customisable rules
- Replaces static plans with proactive, automated stand management
3 more features
- Improves turnaround performance and operational resilience
- Data Solution of the Year for Transportation 2025
- Part of Searidge Chorus digital apron management platform
Technical specifications (1)
- Machine learning. Complex algorithms. Historical data analysis. Digital twin. Cloud-based via Searidge Chorus platform.
Certifications and approvals
- Data Breakthrough Awards, Data Solution of the Year for Transportation 2025
Demand Capacity Balancer
A predictive analytics tool developed by NATS in partnership with Frequentis Orthogon. It helps airports and ANSPs manage the balance between air traffic demand and available capacity from six months ahead down to the day of operation.
The problem it addresses
Airport and ANSP operations teams lack the ability to anticipate and pre-empt demand-capacity imbalances far enough in advance to avoid congestion, delays, and excess emissions. Planning relies on reactive rather than predictive decision-making, leading to inefficient holding, delay propagation, and wasted fuel. The DCB tool provides collaborative, data-driven scenario modelling to shift planning from reactive to preventative.
Key features
- Predictive demand-capacity scenario simulation from 6 months to day of operation
- Ingests flight schedules, wind forecasts, airspace restrictions, and performance metrics
- What-if scenario testing for smarter decision-making
- Shared data platform enabling cross-stakeholder collaboration (airports, airlines, ANSPs)
4 more features
- Target Time of Arrival (TTA) function for trajectory-level adjustments pre-arrival
- Emissions optimisation features introduced November 2024 - derives operating plans that minimise fuel burn
- Efficiency measurement of inbound aircraft to identify and reduce environmental hotspots
- Supports improved punctuality and resilience during disruptions
Technical specifications (3)
- Co-developed with Frequentis Orthogon
- Ingests live and historical data plus weather and performance metrics
- TTA function enables airborne trajectory adjustments before arrival
Integrates with
Frequentis Orthogon platform
Verified deployments
London Heathrow (LHR) – AIMEE runway-clearance monitoring trials in the NATS Digital Tower Laboratory at Heathrow
Product documentationDigital Towers
A suite of five scalable digital air traffic control tower models developed by NATS in partnership with its wholly owned subsidiary Searidge Technologies.
The problem it addresses
Traditional physical control towers impose geographic and infrastructure constraints on ATC operations: they are expensive to build, cannot be easily relocated, and offer limited visibility in poor weather or at large, complex airfields. Digital towers allow controllers to manage runways remotely or with enhanced situational awareness, reduce capital costs for smaller airports, improve safety through AI-augmented visibility, and enable resilient contingency operations when physical towers are unavailable.
Key features
- Model 1 - Digital Tower in Tower: augments existing physical tower cab with panoramic digital displays and data feeds
- Model 2 - Remote Digital Tower: full remote control of a single airport from an offsite centre
- Model 3 - Remote Digital Tower+: enhanced remote control with additional situational awareness tools
- Model 4 - Hybrid Digital Tower: physical tower enhanced with blind-spot cameras and digital overlays
7 more features
- Model 5 - Hub Digital Tower: full remote digital control of a major international hub airport
- AIMEE AI platform (Searidge Technologies) - interprets 4K camera imagery, tracks aircraft, provides automated runway clearance indicators
- 4K ultra-high-definition cameras with pan-tilt-zoom (up to 30x magnification)
- 360-degree airfield coverage via camera arrays
- Digital data overlays: call signs, altitude, speed, weather, moving object tracking
- AI low-cloud visibility recovery - tested at Heathrow to reclaim up to 20% of capacity lost when tower enters cloud
- Self-cleaning camera mechanisms
Technical specifications (5)
- 16+ high-definition cameras and sensors per installation (London City: 16 cameras on 50m mast)
- 4K ultra-HD camera option tested at Heathrow (EGLL) Digital Tower Laboratory
- AIMEE AI platform by Searidge Technologies (Canada)
- Independent secure fibre network redundancy
- 14 HD screens at Swanwick remote control room for London City Airport (EGLC)
Integrates with
Searidge Technologies AIMEE AI platformRadar data feedsWeather systemsAirport surface management systems
Verified deployments
London City Airport (LCY) – London City Airport digital remote tower with NATSLondon Heathrow (LHR) – AIMEE runway-clearance monitoring trials in the NATS Digital Tower Laboratory at Heathrow
Product documentationGreen Aviation Insights (GAIN)
A not-for-profit global benchmarking, reporting, and collaboration platform developed and operated by NATS for Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs).
The problem it addresses
ANSPs lack a standardised, globally consistent method to measure airspace efficiency and benchmark their environmental performance against peers. Without common metrics, it is difficult to identify where inefficiencies create excess emissions, set actionable targets, or credibly report progress toward net-zero commitments.
Key features
- Benchmark - establishes efficiency baselines for flights using a standardised scoring system
- Interrogate Data - filters flight data by specific or pre-defined criteria to analyse performance
- Monitor Hotspots - pinpoints geographic locations of airspace inefficiencies
- Visualise Insights - presents data numerically and visually to support diagnostics and decisions
5 more features
- Compare Routes - identifies best and worst performing routes side by side
- Collaborative community - regular sharing sessions among member ANSPs
- User-led development - Full Members co-design new platform features
- Standardised reporting aligned with industry sustainability targets
- Automatically populated from existing ANSP data sources
Technical specifications (3)
- Cloud-based analytics platform
- Automatically populated by existing ANSP data sources
- Future option for ANSPs to integrate proprietary data
Integrates with
Existing ANSP operational data sources (automatic population)
Verified deployments
London Heathrow (LHR) – AIMEE runway-clearance monitoring trials in the NATS Digital Tower Laboratory at Heathrow
Product documentationiFACTS
An advanced en-route ATC decision-support system developed by NATS, introduced in 2011 at the London Area Control Centre (LACC) at Swanwick. iFACTS supplements traditional radar displays with predictive conflict detection and trajectory analysis tools for en-route controllers.
The problem it addresses
En-route controllers managing high-density airspace in the London Area Control Centre previously relied on radar position data and manual mental calculation to anticipate future conflicts, limiting the number of aircraft they could safely manage simultaneously. iFACTS provides automated trajectory prediction and conflict alerting 18 minutes ahead of potential separation events, reducing cognitive workload, increasing sector capacity, and improving safety margins.
Key features
- 18-minute look-ahead trajectory prediction per aircraft
- Automated conflict detection by comparing predicted flight trajectories
- Closest point of approach calculation between aircraft pairs
- Integrates flight plan route data, controller clearances, weather forecasts, and aircraft performance data
3 more features
- Visual aids and support tools overlaid on radar display
- Supports decision-making for area control (en-route) operations
- Human factors design supporting ATCO cognitive load management
Technical specifications (4)
- Deployed at NATS London Area Control Centre (LACC), Swanwick
- 18-minute predictive trajectory window
- Inputs: flight plan routes, controller clearances, MET forecasts, aircraft performance data
- Operational since 2011
Integrates with
NATS radar systems at SwanwickNATS flight data processing system
Product documentationBLADE
A digital-twin-powered assessment and recruitment platform developed by NATS, stemming from the Project Bluebird research programme (a collaboration between NATS, The Alan Turing Institute, and the University of Exeter).
The problem it addresses
Traditional ATCO recruitment assessments rely on limited simulation environments that are difficult to standardise, scale, or align closely with real operational scenarios. BLADE provides a repeatable, standardised, high-fidelity assessment environment accessible remotely, improving both the accuracy of candidate selection and the candidate experience.
Key features
- Digital twin of UK airspace generates realistic ATC scenarios for assessment
- Probabilistic simulation of historic and synthetic air traffic scenarios
- Remote access - candidates can participate from any location
- Standardised scoring on safety, efficiency, and task completion metrics
4 more features
- Competency-based assessment of situational awareness, communication, and problem-solving
- Aligns baseline performance assessment with training potential for career-long development
- Planned AI-assisted insights and predictive analytics for candidate evaluation (future roadmap)
- Elastic cloud scalability and data privacy (DigyCorp infrastructure)
Technical specifications (4)
- Built on Project Bluebird digital twin of UK airspace
- Cloud-based platform (DigyCorp cloud infrastructure)
- Secure remote access architecture
- Leverages trajectory prediction and scenario generation research from Project Bluebird
Integrates with
Project Bluebird digital twin airspace modelNATS HR and Talent Services systems
Product documentationAirport Capacity Enhancement (ACE)
A consulting and analytics service that delivers expert assessment of airport operations to identify and unlock hidden capacity. ACE combines site visits, advanced simulations, and data-driven analysis by NATS specialists in ATC, airport operations, and stand planning.
The problem it addresses
Airports facing capacity constraints or growth pressure often default to expensive capital investment plans without fully understanding whether operational changes could unlock equivalent capacity. ACE provides an independent data-driven view of where capacity is being lost in current operations and validates or challenges investment plans before capital is committed.
Key features
- Holistic assessment spanning ATC, airport operations, and stand planning
- Advanced simulation modelling
- Benchmarking against world's best-performing airports
- Short-term quick-win identification plus long-term capacity roadmap
3 more features
- Stakeholder engagement and investment plan validation
- Data and AI-assisted analysis
- Delivered by NATS domain experts through site visits and remote analysis
Technical specifications (2)
- Uses advanced simulation tools and data analytics
- Incorporates AI-assisted analysis per NATS blog (Unlocking airport capacity through data and AI)
Verified deployments
London Heathrow (LHR) – AIMEE runway-clearance monitoring trials in the NATS Digital Tower Laboratory at Heathrow
Product documentationProfile data from the Aerostack companies register; deployment records from the verified register. Evidence grades: T1 first-party confirmation, T2 credible reporting. See Our approach for how records are graded.