General Atomics

NATS registers increase in flights handled in December

NATS has revealed that it safely handled 181,015 flights in December, an increase of 1.5% on December 2023.

28799
Caption on image

Image courtesy NATS

Non-transatlantic arrivals and departures showed most growth, with 4.1% more flights than a year ago. Spain, France and Germany were the busiest routes.
 
According to Eurocontrol, NATS handled more than 24% of Europe’s traffic in December and was accountable for just 0.4% of delay. A total of 99.8% of flights received no NATS-attributable delay, whilst the average delay per delayed flight was 11.3 minutes.
 
Kathryn Leahy, Chief Operations Officer, said: “The draw of Europe’s Christmas markets may have been behind last month’s growth routes, but December is always busy and we do our very best to make sure that everyone’s travel goes according to plan.  

“In the face of some very challenging weather conditions, our team pulled out all the stops and I am very pleased that we were able to keep the average delay so low.  It was a good performance.”

Related

NATS handles 241,141 flights in June as weather disruption rises
NATS air traffic controller working in Aberdeen
NATS handles 241,141 flights in June as weather disruption rises
NATS safely handled more than 241,000 flights in June, with UK air traffic increasing month on month as weather-related delays rose sharply.
Aerospace Member News

9 Jul 2026

Thales delivers AI milestone for RAF mission support system
Thales MD MSS
Thales delivers AI milestone for RAF mission support system
Thales, RAF Digital and the National Armaments Director Group have delivered AI and machine learning capability into the RAF’s Multi-Domain Mission Support System.
Aerospace Defence

9 Jul 2026

Bristow winch paramedic receives Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy
Bristow winch paramedic wins Billy Deacon SAR Trophy
Bristow winch paramedic receives Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy
James O’Neill, a Bristow Ireland winch paramedic based at Shannon, has received the Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy for his role in rescuing 14 crew from a fishing vessel.
Aerospace

9 Jul 2026

Thales delivers AI milestone for RAF mission support system
Thales MD MSS
Thales delivers AI milestone for RAF mission support system
Thales, RAF Digital and the National Armaments Director Group have delivered AI and machine learning capability into the RAF’s Multi-Domain Mission Support System.
Aerospace Defence

9 Jul 2026

Royal Navy’s Hybrid Navy takes shape as drone boat is airdropped from A400M
Airdrop of Royal Navy drone from Airbus A400M with parachute
Royal Navy’s Hybrid Navy takes shape as drone boat is airdropped from A400M
Why the Royal Navy's parachute drop of K3 Scout sea-going drone is an important step onto its part to become a hybrid navy.
Defence

9 Jul 2026

ADS sectors add £46.8bn to UK economy but industry warns delivery must follow
Aerospace engineer GE UK
ADS sectors add £46.8bn to UK economy but industry warns delivery must follow
ADS says the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors remain resilient, but rising costs, finance pressures and supply chain constraints mean government commitments must now translate into action.
ADS sectors add £46.8bn to UK economy but industry warns delivery must follow
Aerospace engineer GE UK
ADS sectors add £46.8bn to UK economy but industry warns delivery must follow
ADS says the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors remain resilient, but rising costs, finance pressures and supply chain constraints mean government commitments must now translate into action.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
Airbus UK to build Aeolus-2 weather satellite for Europe’s next forecasting leap
Aeolus 2 by Airbus UK
Airbus UK to build Aeolus-2 weather satellite for Europe’s next forecasting leap
Airbus Defence and Space UK has been authorised to begin building Aeolus-2, a next-generation ESA and EUMETSAT weather satellite designed to deliver global wind measurements for more accurate forecasting, aviation operations and climate monitoring.
Space

6 Jul 2026

ADS sectors add £46.8bn to UK economy but industry warns delivery must follow
Aerospace engineer GE UK
ADS sectors add £46.8bn to UK economy but industry warns delivery must follow
ADS says the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors remain resilient, but rising costs, finance pressures and supply chain constraints mean government commitments must now translate into action.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
Logiq launches DISX Isolate for high-assurance defence operations
Logiq launches DISX Isolate for secure defence operations
Logiq launches DISX Isolate for high-assurance defence operations
Logiq has launched DISX Isolate, a standalone secure workspace designed for organisations handling sensitive information in deliberately disconnected environments.