NATS - Air Traffic Control Services

NATS, the UK’s leading airspace navigation service provider, has announced today that there will be no second Terminal Control North (TCN) consultation on revised air routes until at least September 2010.

The decision to postpone a second consultation follows the feedback received during last year’s consultation and development of alternatives that, where possible, address the concerns that were raised at the time.

Alex Bristol, NATS’ General Manager Strategy and Investment, said: “The downturn in air traffic levels internationally since the first TCN consultation means there is less urgency than there was originally for this development.

“We are continuing to develop alternatives following the feedback that was received during the first consultation that, where possible, address some of the concerns that were raised at that time.

“Doing nothing is not a long term option if we are to further enhance safety in the TCN area and we anticipate bringing forward some smaller changes from the TCN proposal while we continue work on the overall design.”

Since the 2008 consultation changes have been made to London City departure routes; this was required by the Civil Aviation Authority in order that the routes meet international standards for the jet aircraft now using that airport. This was covered in last year’s consultation.

Alex Bristol added: “We always said that we wanted to hear people’s views on the TCN proposals. We have listened and we continue to work on changes and developments as a result of the feedback that we received during last year’s consultation.”