Serco - Non-Government Provider of Air Traffic Services

Serco Inc., a provider of professional, technology, and management services to the federal government, announced today that one of its air traffic control towers has been selected as the recipient of the Air Traffic Control Association's (ATCA) Earl F. Ward Memorial Award, to be presented at ATCA's 57th Annual Conference, in National Harbor, Maryland, on October 1st.

The Earl F. Ward Memorial Award is presented annually to only one of over 600 air traffic control facilities nationwide. This year's award recognizes Serco's Eagle, Colorado Air Traffic Control Tower personnel for their outstanding achievements which have added to the quality, safety and efficiency of air traffic control services at the Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE).

Due to its severe weather conditions, altitude, mountainous terrain and challenging departure procedures, EGE has been designated by the History Channel as their eighth "Most Extreme Airport". In years past, EGE had earned a bad reputation for extensive delays and poor air traffic control service during the high tempo winter traffic periods.  The tower staff, led by Air Traffic Manager Milton Souza, set out to completely transform their reputation and improve their air traffic control services.  Meetings held with local users, FAA and Serco were used to identify root causes and collaboratively generate solutions.  The results included extensive procedural changes, equipment upgrades and the development of innovations such as a unique, state-of-the-art web-based Status Information Area.  Additionally, the air traffic controllers adopted a deliberate focus on customer service.  The results were a 98% reduction in the number of aircraft delays, an 86% reduction in average delay times and a completely transformed reputation for the tower and the airport.

"We congratulate Serco in its outstanding job at Eagle County Regional Airport's air traffic control facility," says Peter F. Dumont, President and CEO of ATCA. "Our award categories attract impressive candidates who are enhancing the air traffic community and I commend Serco for its work in this area. They truly embody the spirit for which the award is named."

"Serco is extremely proud of the team at Eagle Tower.  Their dedication, hard work and innovation have dramatically improved the safety and efficiency of air traffic services at Eagle.  The quality of the aviation experience at Eagle has improved significantly as a result of their commitment to the concept of providing air traffic control as a 'service'," said Steve Christmas, Serco's Vice President of Aviation.

Souza and his team will be presented with an award at ATCA's 57th Annual Conference on October 1st.  In addition, Serco will be an exhibitor at the conference, demonstrating their full range of aviation services, including engineering, strategically delivered to customers around the globe.   

In the United States alone, Serco employs over 300 air traffic control specialists providing safe and efficient air traffic control services at 64 towers.  The company is responsible for more than 3,500 square miles of U.S. airspace and handles more than 4 million aircraft movements a year, ensuring the safe transport of nearly 9 million commercial aircraft passengers.