General Atomics

Flights increase as summer hots up

UK air traffic in June increased by 2.5% on the same month last year as NATS, the UK’s major provider of air traffic services, safely handled 237,215 flights, up more than 2,600 on May.



Above: Southampton Airport.
Courtesy NATS


This averaged almost 8,000 flights per day. The busiest day so far this year was Sunday 27th June, when NATS handled 8,219 flights.
 
The market segment with most growth was non-transatlantic overflights, which increased by 9.2%, with particular growth in flights using UK airspace to fly between Norway and Spain and Norway and the Netherlands. The busiest UK routes were with Spain, up 5.0% and Italy, up 6.0%.  Domestic UK flights, however, dropped by 3.6%.
 
According to Eurocontrol, NATS handled 23.9% of Europe’s traffic in June, and was accountable for just 1.2% of Europe’s delay. Also, 99.98% of flights received no NATS-attributable delay, the average NATS delay per delayed flight was 16 minutes.
 
Kathryn Leahy, Chief Operations Officer, said: “There is no longer a relevant comparison with the 2019 pre-Covid peak as the whole European aviation environment is different now. 

"We are already exceeding 2019 traffic on some sectors and at certain times of the day and as we approach the summer peak, that will become even more intense.”

Related

Airport chiefs urge government to tackle business rates
Manchester Airport
Airport chiefs urge government to tackle business rates
AirportsUK chair Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith has warned rising costs risk holding back future investment.
Aerospace

15 Oct 2026

Unions oppose £5.7bn easyJet takeover by Apollo over job security concerns
easyJet A320
Unions oppose £5.7bn easyJet takeover by Apollo over job security concerns
European employee representatives have opposed Apollo’s £5.7bn easyJet takeover, citing concerns over job security and long-term employment protections.
Aerospace

15 Oct 2026

UK airport drop-off charges face government review after sharp increases
A passenger with luggage walks next to a travelator in a London Heathrow Airport Central Terminal Area.
UK airport drop-off charges face government review after sharp increases
The UK Government will review airport drop-off fees after sharp increases, with some airports now charging £10 for short stops.
Aerospace

15 Oct 2026

Viasat orders ALL.​SPACE Hydra MAX Terminals for Ka-band networks
ALL.SPACE Hydra
Viasat orders ALL.​SPACE Hydra MAX Terminals for Ka-band networks
Viasat has placed an order for multiple ALL.​SPACE Hydra MAX terminals approved to operate on Viasat's global NextGen Ka-band network, providing resilient SATCOM connectivity for defence and government users.
Defence Member News Space

15 Oct 2026

MoD extends Leidos LCST contract to transform UK defence logistics support
Military convoy
MoD extends Leidos LCST contract to transform UK defence logistics support
Continuing its support of UK national security, defence and logistics programmes, Leidos is modernising supply chain resilience and defence logistics by heightening inventory visibility and extending integrated data access.
Defence Member News

15 Oct 2026

Royal Navy adds suspected counter-drone launchers to HMS Dauntless
HMS Dauntless (D33) conducts a PASSEX with Ukrainian minehunters off the Isle of Wight on 10 October 2026. The inset image offers a closer look at the warship's new suspected C-UAS launcher. Image: MOD Crown Copyright/PO Phot Belinda Alker
Royal Navy adds suspected counter-drone launchers to HMS Dauntless
HMS Dauntless has received two unidentified launchers potentially designed for drone interception, amid the Royal Navy’s efforts to strengthen shipborne C-UAS defences.
Defence

15 Oct 2026

Viasat orders ALL.​SPACE Hydra MAX Terminals for Ka-band networks
ALL.SPACE Hydra
Viasat orders ALL.​SPACE Hydra MAX Terminals for Ka-band networks
Viasat has placed an order for multiple ALL.​SPACE Hydra MAX terminals approved to operate on Viasat's global NextGen Ka-band network, providing resilient SATCOM connectivity for defence and government users.
Defence Member News Space

15 Oct 2026

Cornwall Space Cluster launches £15k legal support programme for space SMEs
Goonhilly satellite near Cornwall Space Cluster
Cornwall Space Cluster launches £15k legal support programme for space SMEs
Cornwall Space Cluster has partnered with Stephens Scown to offer specialist legal advice to space businesses, helping them protect intellectual property, prepare for investment and support future growth.
Space

15 Oct 2026

ClearSpace selected to deliver UK’s first active debris removal mission
ClearSpace removing space debris
ClearSpace selected to deliver UK’s first active debris removal mission
The UK-led programme will remove two defunct satellites while creating specialist jobs, supporting supply chains and building capability in the growing in-orbit services sector.
Space

15 Oct 2026

NAD and CDS want accelerated capability as DSEI UK 27 launched
NAD and CDS launch DSEI UK 27
NAD and CDS want accelerated capability as DSEI UK 27 launched
As the National Armaments Director (NAD) and the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) launched DSEI UK 2027 yesterday, they said faster capability delivery, greater innovation and improved readiness are required to ensure the UK and its allies are suitably prepared for any future conflict.
Warwickshire Police turns to AI to review the quality of investigations
Chat with AI or Artificial Intelligence technology. Man touching chatting virtual with an intelligent artificial intelligence asks for the answers he wants. Smart assistant futuristic, Chatbot,
Warwickshire Police turns to AI to review the quality of investigations
An eight-agent system checks investigation records against policing standards, with officers retaining responsibility for decisions.
Security

14 Oct 2026

UK Connect Defence launches Rapid Broadband Kit
UK Connect Defence's RBK
UK Connect Defence launches Rapid Broadband Kit
A new solution designed and manufactured in the UK, is set to deliver resilient integrated 5G and LEO satellite services broadband connectivity via a single rugged unit, connecting people, systems and services for defence, humanitarian and remote operations, with no external supporting infrastructure.