NATS - Air Traffic Control Services

Date 08.04.2010

NATS (En Route) plc (NERL), a subsidiary of NATS, the UK’s leading air traffic services provider, has today published its 10 Year Business Plan (2011-2020), in accordance with the requirements of its air traffic services licence.

The 10 Year Business Plan is being provided on a non-reliance basis in satisfaction of the obligations of NERL under its Licence from the Civil Aviation Authority (the “CAA”). This document does not constitute an offer, or solicitation, to invest in the securities of the NERL in any jurisdiction.

The 10 Year Business Plan includes certain forward-looking statements which solely represent the current views of the management of the Company with respect to future events. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties because they relate to events, and depend on circumstances, that may occur in the future and many factors could cause the actual results to be materially different.  The financial forecasts and projections it contains were prepared solely for planning purposes and are not actual, audited or final figures.

The 10 Year Business Plan (2011-2020) is available on the NATS website.

NERL is required to provide a business plan covering a ten year period to its regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), every five years.  The 10 Year Business Plan covers the period from 2011 to 2020.

The purpose of the document is to describe the plans and expectations for each of NERL’s en route businesses, including capital investment and operational plans, together with the steps NERL proposes to take to further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its operation, required under the terms of its licence.

The 10 Year Business Plan has been prepared in consultation with customers and its form, scope and level of detail has been approved by the CAA.  Included in the plan is a summary income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement for the 10 financial years ending 31st March 2021.  The financial year ending 31st March 2011 is also shown for information only.

Regulatory Review of Charges

The focus of NERL’s 10 Year Business Plan is on delivering economic value to customers from good service quality with minimal air traffic control delays and greater fuel efficiency while maintaining the highest possible safety standards.  NERL plans to deliver this service to customers in the most cost effective way.

The CAA is currently conducting a review of the revenue and price controls that will apply to NERL from 1st January 2011 (Control Period 3 or CP3).  The CAA published in February 2010 a consultation document covering its provisional conclusions on the structure, scope and design of the controls which will apply from 2011. Following consideration of responses to its provisional conclusions, the CAA will publish its firm proposals in May 2010.

NERL will review the capital and operating expenditure plans for CP3 and CP4 as currently set out in the 10 Year Business Plan when the outcome of the regulatory review is certain.  Accordingly, the projections of the financial results and financial positions for the financial years ending 31st March 2021 may be subject to material change.

Results for 2009/2010

The 10 Year Business Plan does not include a forecast of the results for the financial year ending 31st March 2010.  NERL expects that the audited accounts for this financial year will be available on www.nats.co.uk in July 2010.

Notes to Editors:

1. About NATS

  • NATS handled 2.2 million flights in 2009, covering the UK and eastern North Atlantic, that carried more than 200 million passengers safely through some of the busiest and most complex airspace in the world.
  • NATS provides en route air traffic control from its centres at Swanwick, Hampshire and Prestwick, Ayrshire.
  • NATS also provides air traffic control services at 15 of the nation’s major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow, together with air traffic services at Gibraltar Airport.

2.   The CAA has published a timetable for the CAA-led phase of the CP3 review as follows:

  • May 2010: CAA publishes comprehensive price cap and other proposals, including draft licence conditions
  • Early September 2010: CAA holds hearings with interested parties
  • October 2010:  CAA issues formal proposals with licence conditions
  • November/early December 2010:  CAA issues final CP3 decision with price control and other licence conditions

3.   The accounts of NATS (En Route) plc for the year ended 31st March 2010 are expected to be approved by its Board on 30th June 2010.  The accounts are expected to be published and made available on www.nats.co.uk with effect from 1st July 2010.  The accounts will then by subject to formal adoption by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 29th July 2010.