Privatised UK airspace authority National Air Traffic Services (NATS) is to take over Gibraltar airport air traffic control next year, writes David Kaminski-Morrow.
It is the first time that the company has secured an international airspace management agreement.
Under the three-year deal NATS will take over the island’s approach radar and airport traffic control as well as provide supplementary services.
Gibraltar airport is a station for the Royal Air Force and is presently overseen by UK military personnel. NATS will sign an agreement with the UK Ministry of Defence to assume control in early 2006.
While Gibraltar is a UK overseas territory, and the contract is worth just £3.5 million ($6.4 million), NATS is nevertheless underlining that the agreement marks its first international air traffic control agreement.
Source: Flight International