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ANSP

NATS

The UK's main air navigation service provider, an early remote/digital tower operator.

Overview

NATS is the United Kingdom's principal air navigation service provider. It operates the remote digital tower for London City Airport from its Swanwick centre using Saab r-TWR, making London City the first major international airport fully controlled by a remote digital tower. NATS is also a partner on Hamad International's Virtual Tower (vTWR) in Doha with Searidge and ADB Safegate, in operational service since February 2025 and announced November 2025 as the first large-scale digital tower certified by a Middle East regulator (QCAA). NATS and NAV CANADA are widely reported as joint owners of Searidge Technologies, though that ownership was not re-verified against a primary source in this pass (unverified). As an ANSP, NATS runs the air traffic service itself, which distinguishes it from the associations, regulators, and vendors in this space.

Key facts

Related

Saab (r-TWR / Digital Tower) Searidge Technologies NAV CANADA UK CAA (Remote Towers Policy) FAA (Remote Tower Systems) Digital Tower
Discussion: talk remote and digital towers with the community at r/DigitalTowers. New and open, help start it.

Sources

Independent informational resource compiled from public sources. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any organization named. Trademarks belong to their owners.