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

Aurrigo to increase airport safety
SENTRY test vehicle.
Aurrigo to increase airport safety
The benefits of deploying autonomous vehicles for routine tasks at UK airports is to be investigated in controlled environments, prior to use in real airport conditions, following Aurrigo's award of government funding.
Emirates gives Arsenal giant crest made from A380 and 777 parts
Sir Tim Clark and Richard Garlick with the aircrafted arsenal crest
Emirates gives Arsenal giant crest made from A380 and 777 parts
Emirates has given Arsenal a 2.4-metre crest made from upcycled Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 parts to celebrate their 20-year partnership.
Aerospace Most Read

10 Aug 2026

ZD or VP-G: Gibraltar launches its own aircraft registry with 6 possible prefixes
GAR Gibraltar aircraft registry
ZD or VP-G: Gibraltar launches its own aircraft registry with 6 possible prefixes
Gibraltar has launched its own aircraft registry with a distinctive ZD nationality mark, with an earlier VP-G prefix also available.
Aerospace

10 Aug 2026

Russian activity prompts surge in Royal Navy monitoring operations
RFN Neustrashimy tracked by HMS Severn.
Russian activity prompts surge in Royal Navy monitoring operations
As Russian activities in UK waters have increased, so too have the monitoring operations of the Royal Navy.
Defence

10 Aug 2026

Royal Navy K3 Scout drones found transmitting data to China
Royal Navy operating in exercise
Royal Navy K3 Scout drones found transmitting data to China
Chinese spy cameras have been found transmitting on new Royal Navy drone boats, triggering a rash of security concerns.
Defence Most Read

10 Aug 2026

Red Arrows cancel three airshows as Hawks remain stranded in Canada
Red Arrows at EAA Air Venture 2026
Red Arrows cancel three airshows as Hawks remain stranded in Canada
The Red Arrows will miss three scheduled events in the UK after being stuck in Labrador's Goose Bay for a week.
Defence Most Read

10 Aug 2026

The solar storm behind the Northern Lights is helping reshape how the UK protects its skies
Solar fireworks caught on camera
The solar storm behind the Northern Lights is helping reshape how the UK protects its skies
A £20 million UK programme is transforming how scientists forecast severe solar storms, helping protect aviation, satellites, GPS navigation and the electricity grid.
Defence Most Read Space

8 Aug 2026

MDA Space to provide lunar landing sensors for ESA’s Argonaut mission
MDA Space secures contract for ESA Argonaut mission
MDA Space to provide lunar landing sensors for ESA’s Argonaut mission
Advanced 3D sensors from MDA Space UK are set to help the European Space Agency's Argonaut spacecraft land safely on the Moon.
Member News Space

6 Aug 2026

SSTL racks up smart storage solution
SSTL racks up smart storage solution
A smart racking solution from Altus has helped Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) integrate its materials management processes.
Member News Space

5 Aug 2026

Aurrigo to increase airport safety
SENTRY test vehicle.
Aurrigo to increase airport safety
The benefits of deploying autonomous vehicles for routine tasks at UK airports is to be investigated in controlled environments, prior to use in real airport conditions, following Aurrigo's award of government funding.
Breakthrough UK device to combat global prison drug epidemic
foster+freeman drug detection tool for prisons
Breakthrough UK device to combat global prison drug epidemic
Designed to instantly detect synthetic cannabinoids smuggled into secure facilities, the rapid detection tool - invented in Bath and manufactured in the West Midlands - is set for immediate global export.
Security

7 Aug 2026

New retail crime reporting technology helps Met Police bring shoplifters to justice
New Scotland Yard sign
New retail crime reporting technology helps Met Police bring shoplifters to justice
The Metropolitan Police have introduced new technology to help officers identify, arrest and prosecute more shoplifters.
Security

6 Aug 2026