Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • NATS and AiQ Consulting win Best Solution Provider at AOA Awards

Aerospace

NATS and AiQ Consulting win Best Solution Provider at AOA Awards

NATS is celebrating after their project was named a winner at the Airport Operators Association (AOA) Awards.

Above: NATS and AiQ Consulting accept their award.  (left to right) Simon Calder, AiQ Managing Director Derek Allen, NATS Portfolio Manager Gary Conroy and AOA Chair Baroness Ruby McGregor- Smith.
Courtesy NATS

Together with AiQ Consulting, NATS’ project won the “Best Solution Provider” award which recognises businesses in the aviation and airport sectors that have delivered new, innovative solutions to meet a defined business need.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The prize acknowledged the delivery of an end-to-end airport capacity assessment at Bristol Airport – the ninth busiest airport in the UK – focusing on pinch points between kerbside and airside.
NATS and AiQ Consulting worked to deliver a completely integrated assessment of the entire airport operation and developed a range of immediate suggested actions and longer-term investments to secure efficiency of the operation.

With exciting and ambitious plans for the future backed by significant infrastructural investment, Bristol Airport now has a validated actionable roadmap that enables them to achieve ongoing improvements to the customer experience.

Gary Franklin, NATS’ Customer Solutions and Delivery Director, said: “By bringing together experts from air traffic control, airport operations, stand planning, baggage management and passenger flow, NATS and AiQ were able to help Bristol Airport understand how to improve capacity constraints across the entire airport, by helping to identify and prioritise investment needs.

“Finding innovative ways to solve specific operational and technical challenges is one of NATS’ key capabilities so we are delighted that our project with AiQ has won this prestigious award.”

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle

AiQ’s Managing Director, Derek Allen, said: “We are very proud to have won this award which was based on exceeding our client’s expectations. Together with NATS we provided an end-to-end capacity assessment from kerbside to airside at Bristol Airport, which took a holistic, whole-journey approach.

“The project demonstrated our deep operations experience and our modelling capabilities that enabled the airport to understand the customer challenges facing them and make the right decisions for the future. From big picture virtual reality modelling to highly detailed insights, the award was a recognition of the talents in the AiQ and NATS team.”

The Airport Operators Association (AOA) is a national trade association which represents the interests of UK airports in areas such as security, economic development, operations and safety and environmental sustainability.

 
 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Gatwick appoints Mathieu Boutitie as Chief Technical Officer

Aerospace

Gatwick appoints Mathieu Boutitie as Chief Technical Officer

19 December 2025

London Gatwick has announced Mathieu Boutitie, currently Chief Technical Officer at Kansai Airports Group, as its new Chief Technical Officer, replacing Cedric Laurier who will rejoin VINCI Airports in Paris, with both appointments effective January 2026

Stansted gets green light to increase passenger limit

Aerospace

Stansted gets green light to increase passenger limit

17 December 2025

London Stansted has today secured planning approval from Uttlesford District Council to increase its annual passenger limit up to 51 million, unlocking the potential to deliver a wide range of consumer, economic and community benefits over the next 20 years.

Skyports completes move to Drone Operations HQ

Aerospace Space

Skyports completes move to Drone Operations HQ

17 December 2025

Skyports Drone Services (Skyports) has completed a move into its new flagship, purpose-built, Drone Operations Hub in Westcott Venture Park, equipping the company with a state-of-the-art centralised facility for its UK, European and global drone operations.

Midlands manufacturers launch VORS

Aerospace Defence

Midlands manufacturers launch VORS

17 December 2025

Three Midlands manufacturing and design specialists - outsourcing expert PP Control & Automation (PP C&A), electronics design and software developer ByteSnap Design and contract electronics manufacturer Kasdonare - have joined forces to launch VORS (Versatile Outsourcing in Resilient Systems).

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle
SLG installs new solar array at Bridge of Weir

Aerospace

SLG installs new solar array at Bridge of Weir

17 December 2025

Scottish Leather Group (SLG) has switched on a new Solar PV array at its production facility in Bridge of Weir, Scotland.

Aviation Minister views engine inspection tech at GE Aerospace Filton

Aerospace Defence

Aviation Minister views engine inspection tech at GE Aerospace Filton

16 December 2025

Aviation Minister Keir Mather MP visited GE Aerospace’s Filton facility last week (Thursday 11th December) to see how UK-engineered artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are helping to transform aircraft engine inspection and reinforce Britain’s position as a global centre of advanced aviation services.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Babcock LB Babcock LB